Advancing Efficiency Sustainability in Poultry Farms through Data Envelopment Analysis in a Brazilian Production System

Simple Summary This research evaluates the production efficiency of broiler batches using the production efficiency factor and unit cost of production. Employing Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA), it considers variables like poultry housing, age at slaughter, feed consumed, mortality, and unit cost, with the total available weight as the output. Among 31 decision-making units (DMUs), only DMU 4 and DMU 23 approached maximum efficiency. Efficient DMUs serve as benchmarks for disseminating best practices to less efficient ones, enhancing overall efficiency and financial sustainability in poultry farming. This study highlights the significance of unit cost in evaluating production efficiency and proposes actionable insights for improving practices in the sector.Abstract The production efficiency factor is widely used to measure the zootechnical performance of a batch of broilers. The unit cost of production brings new elements to improve efficiency evaluation and financial sustainability for this activity in agriculture. This research aims to evaluate the production efficiency level of the crop to maximize the return on investment. This study uses Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) with the computational processing of the SIAD software (Integrated Decision Support System). The variables selected were poultry housing, age at slaughter, feed consumed, mortality, and unit cost. The chosen output variable was the total available weight. The analysis spans 31 decision-making units (DMUs) composed of integrated producers, unveiling a frontier of efficiency delineated by the most exemplary DMUs. Notably, only two DMUs, specifically DMU 4 and DMU 23, approached the threshold of maximum relative efficiency. This research illuminates the critical role of unit cost in enhancing the assessment of production efficiency and financial sustainability within the agriculture environment. By setting benchmarks for efficient management and operational protocols, our findings serve as a cornerstone for improving practices among less efficient DMUs, contributing significantly to the literature on agricultural efficiency and offering actionable insights for the poultry farming sector.