Returns and determinants of technical efficiency in small-scale Malabari goat production units in Kerala, India
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Returns and determinants of technical efficiency in small-scale Malabari goat production units in Kerala, India Rani Alex & Raghavan Kunniyoor Cheemani & Naicy Thomas
Accepted: 17 April 2013 # Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2013
Abstract A stochastic frontier production function was employed to measure technical efficiency and its determinants in smallholder Malabari goat production units in Kerala, India. Data were obtained from 100 goat farmers in northern Kerala, selected using multistage random sampling. The parameters of the stochastic frontier production function were estimated using the maximum likelihood method. Cost and return analysis showed that the major expenditure was feed and fodder, and veterinary expenses were secondary. The chief returns were the sale of live animals, milk and manure. Individual farm technical efficiency ranged from 0.34 to 0.97 with a mean of 0.88. The study found herd size (number of animal units) and centre (locality of farm) significantly affected technical efficiency, but sex of farmer, education, land size and family size did not. Technical efficiency decreased as herd size increased; half the units with five or more adult animals had technical efficiency below 60 %. Keywords Malabari . Economics . Commercialization . Determinants of technical efficiency . Goat
Introduction The world population of goats is about 921 million, of which over 90 % are found in developing countries. Asia is home to R. Alex (*) Project Directorate on Cattle, Post box No.17, Grass Farm Road, Meerut Cantt, Uttar Pradesh, India 250 001 e-mail: [email protected] R. Kunniyoor Cheemani : N. Thomas Centre for Advanced Studies in Animal Genetics and Breeding, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, Thrisssur, Kerala, India 680651
about 60 % of the total world goat population and has the largest goat breed share of 26 % (Devendra 2012). India ranks second in the world goat population with 14.6 % of the population. As per Indian livestock census in 2007, Kerala's share is only 1.23 % in goat population. Yet, goats are a very reliable source of income in rural areas of Kerala. Goat production in Kerala is mainly centred on its native breed, Malabari (or Tellichery), which is reputable for its high prolificacy, milk yield, excellent growth rate and adaptability to the hot humid conditions prevalent in the state (Alex and Raghavan 2012). It is named after its place of origin, the Malabar region of Kerala state. This breed of goats is a mixed population of Arab Indian goats including Cutch cross and Tellichery. Malabari goats are mediumsized, dual-purpose animals with small, slightly twisted horns and medium-sized ears directed outward and downward (Raghavan et al. 2004). The importance of this valuable genetic resource is largely underestimated, and the extent of its contribution to the livelihood of the poor is inadequately understood. Investment initiatives on research and development to improve the relatively low level of goat productivity often do not mat
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