Assessing the technical efficiency of commercial egg production in Tanzania for improved livelihoods

Abstract

This study examined the productivity and technical efficiency (TE) of egg production in Tanzania under the
intensive system. A multistage random sampling procedure was employed for selecting 80 respondents from
two districts; Kibaha and Ilala. This study utilizes the most recent developments in stochastic frontier
modeling as specified for a one-step process in Limdep software. Results indicated that the mean TE of egg
production is 64%, ranging from 4 to 90%. Egg production was in the rational stage of production (stage II) as
depicted by the returns to scale (RTS) of about 1.3. Thus, there is room for improving TE, which will raise net
returns of egg production enterprises, hence, improving livelihoods of farmers and their families