Economic efficiency of milk production among small-scale dairy farmers in Mukurweini, Nyeri County, kenya

Abstract

This study aimed at evaluating the economic efficiency of milk production among small-scale dairy farmers in Mukurweini, Nyeri County, Kenya. Data were collected from 91 small-scale dairy farmers previously engaged in a nutritional study in 2013. The farmers had been sampled using purposive sampling technique. Data were collected using structured questionnaires, entered into statistical package for social science (SPSS). Stochastic frontier production and cost functions were analyzed using the MLE technique in FRONTIER 4.1. The results showed that farmers were operating at increasing returns to scale of 1.495. The number of lactating cows, amount of concentrates fed to a cow and the cost of animal health controls had a significant effect on milk production, while the production cost was influenced by the costs of fodder, concentrates, animal health and other operating expenses. The mean technical and allocative scores were 0.687 and 0.913 respectively. The milk production could be increased by 31.3% through proper utilization of the available resources such as fodder and concentrates, while the cost of production can be decreased by 8.7% without affecting the output. It was concluded that through efficient use of the available inputs, like the fodder and present technology, economic efficiency would be greatly increased. The study recommends subsidized prices for concentrates.

Stochastic meta-frontier function analysis of the regional efficiency and technology gap ratios (TGRs) of small-scale cassava producers in Liberia

“…Also, the challenges of free rides and opportunism posed by some group members during group labour frustrate many new members who intend to commit and old members who fully commit. This finding is in contrast to the expectation of the study, namely that group membership increases productivity, access to credit and support services (Maina 2018). However, it is in line with the findings of Gbigbi (2011) that cooperative membership has negative effects on economic efficiency.…”

“…Technical efficiency of cassava production in Bomi is projected to decrease by 3% if farmers continue along the current line of input use for another farming year. Similar to this negative result, Khan and Saeed (2011) and Maina (2018) found that older farmers were economically inefficient, while younger farmers increased their technical efficiency. However, Handwerker (1981) and Nginyangi (2011) found that older farmers, who have more experience in farming activities, increased both productivity and economic efficiency.…”

Economic efficiency of cricket production reared under improvised cage system for improved food production

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“…Further, if an average farmer was to achieve a technical efficient level of its most efficient counterpart, then the average farmer could realize 23.5% of output derived from {1-(0.65/0.85) × 100%} by improving technical efficiency under the existing technology. These results are consistent with the findings of Degefa et al (2017) and Maina et al (2018) who recorded a mean technical efficiency of 82.93 and 83.7% in maize and milk production, respectively. However, the mean TE in this study is higher compared to a mean of 73, 78.8, 62.3 and 59% realized in previous studies estimating technical efficiencies in both crop and animal productions as reported by Abate et al (2019), Debebe et al (2015, Kamau (2019), andMasuku et al (2014), correspondingly.…”

Livelihood impacts of Calliandra calothyrsus and Sesbania sesban: Supplementary feed in smallholder dairy farms in Kenya

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