Improving energy productivity and environmental sustainability in poultry broiler production via benchmarking: Data envelopment analysis application

Increasing population level and food demand around the world has made producers and policy makers to utilize scientific models and techniques for taking sustainability into consideration. Energy as an important ingredient in all production systems was the focal point in this study for the production process of broiler in poultry farms in Kaduna state, Nigeria. The research tries to assess an optimal input use for broiler producers and determine the efficient and inefficient farmers. A total sample size of 55 broiler farmers were selected from Kaduna State via multi-stage sampling technique, and data analysis was perfected using DEA model. Total energy used in various operations during broiler production was 77916.14 MJ (500 bird)⁻¹, and findings revealed that 63 percent of producers were technically efficient, while 43 producers under PTE were identified efficient (79.6%). Mean value of technical efficiency, pure technical efficiency and scale efficiency scores were 0.976; 0.993 and 0.983, respectively. Based on findings, fossil fuel, machinery and electricity were determined as the most inefficient inputs. Results also indicated that about 1.38 percent [1071.54 MJ (500birds)⁻¹] of the total input resources could be saved if the farmers follow the input package recommended by the DEA. Finally, study recommends improvement in the knowledge level of inefficient farmers, application of high-tech equipment and taking advantage of renewable energy sources.