| Popis: |
In Togo's Maritime Region, credit constraints pose a significant barrier to economic efficiency for layer farmers. This study use stochastic profit frontier approach, moves beyond simple comparisons to illuminate the underlying mechanisms behind this disparity. A random sample of 155 farmers participated in a structured data collection conducted in July 2023 using direct elicitation methods. Our findings reveal how producers without credit constraints (PSCCs) leverage capital-intensive inputs like feed, while those facing constraints (PACCs) struggle with limited access to veterinary services and costly manual labor. While capital acts as a profit booster for both groups, its impact is amplified for PSCCs, highlighting the crucial role of financial stability in optimal input allocation and profit maximization. Employing the Cobb-Douglas production function within a stochastic profit frontier framework, the study identifies an efficiency gap of 9%, with PACCs and PSCCs exhibiting average profitability of 55% and 64%, respectively. Additionally, influential factors such as income, credit availability, and loan amounts are identified for both groups. The stark profit disparity underscores the substantial revenue loss tied to credit limitations, particularly for PACCs facing a significantly higher frequency of minimum profitability. By quantifying the impact of credit constraints and pinpointing areas of inefficiency, this study paves the way for targeted interventions like microcredit schemes and improved veterinary access. This research empowers policymakers to foster a more productive, sustainable, and equitable poultry farming landscape, particularly for credit-constrained smallholder farmers in Togo's Maritime Region and beyond. |
