Inefficiency of laying hens farms in Benin: an input directional distance function approach

Abstract Background In Benin, the productivity of poultry production systems is a major concern. This paper aims first to estimate the cost, technical and allocative inefficiencies of modern and traditional poultry production systems, and then to determine the factors that influence these types of inefficiencies. Results The study reveals significant cost inefficiencies, with just 9% and 18% of traditional and modern systems, respectively, being cost-efficient, highlighting the necessity of distinguishing production systems due to different operational requirements, particularly for modern systems. Addressing these inefficiencies requires crucial measures such as providing training, accessible credit, and mortality rate reduction to boost local production, with tailored support for small-scale farmers. Conclusions The poultry sector’s intense competition and the decline in local production, particularly among small-scale farmers, are primarily linked to high domestic production costs and local farmers' poor performance. Our study unveils substantial cost inefficiencies in both traditional and modern poultry farming systems, emphasizing the imperative to differentiate interventions based on their distinct operational requirements.