ANALYSIS OF PROFITABILITY AND TECHNICAL EFFICIENCY OF BROILER PRODUCTION IN NORTH-CENTRAL, NIGERIA.

Abstract

The study was carried out to determine the profitability and technical efficiency of broiler production in North-central, Nigeria. A multistage sampling technique was employed in the selection of 156 respondents. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, budget technique and Cobb-Douglas stochastic frontier production model. The result of the study reveals that the average age of a broiler farmer in the study area was 43 years with a minimum of secondary school education, 10 years of experience in broiler production and an average family size was 7 members. With an average stock of 396 birds, the gross revenue was ₦ 1,766,578, the total cost was ₦1,660,254, and gross margin recorded was ₦106,324. The estimate of the production model revealed that initial stock, feeds, and medication were the significant inputs that influenced the production of broilers. The technical efficiency estimates of the broiler farmers ranged from 78% and 100% with a mean technical efficiency of 92.5%. The high cost of feeds, which constituted 76% of the total variable cost, was identified as the major constraint to broiler production. It is therefore recommended that initiatives that could drastically reduce market price of feeds should be implemented by relevant agencies of governments and NGOs.