Factor Productivity and Efficiency in Poultry Farming: Evidence from Broiler Production in Imo State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study focused on factor productivity and efficiency in broiler production in Imo State. Technical efficiency is synonymous with productivity in resource performance assessment. The main objective of the research was to compare resource use productivity in broiler production looking at the two distinct activities of brooding and selling after four weeks and rearing the brooded to maturity before selling. In order to achieve this, a random sample of 180 broiler farmers of 90 brooders and 90 who rear was taken from the three agricultural zones of the state. A set of structured questionnaire was administered on the farmers. Data obtained were analyzed using simple statistical tools and Additive Multiplicative Dummy Variable Model and t-test statistic. Results showed that farmers who reared their birds to maturity before selling were more technically efficient in the use of production resources; they had higher productivity than their counterparts that just brooded and sold. It is therefore recommended that farmers should brood and rear their broilers to maturity for higher productivity and efficiency.

Keywords: Factor Efficiency, Broiler, Production