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Relationships Among MacArthur Subjective Socioeconomic Status, Ryff Psychological Well-Being, and the Technical Efficiency of Small-Scale Poultry Farmers in Nigeria

Year: 2024
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: This study investigated the interplay between MacArthur Subjective Socioeconomic Status (SSS), Ryff's Psychological Well-Being (PWB), and Technical Efficiency (TE) among small-scale broiler farmers in Southwest Nigeria.Using a multistage procedure, 323 respondents were randomly selected.Analysis showed significant relationships between variables, with broilers per production cycle and feed intake positively impacting output.Temperature volatility had a negative effect on output due to increased stress in broilers.Age and cooperative membership were key factors influencing TE.The study also examined how subjective SES and PWB influenced innovative practices and risktaking, ultimately enhancing TE.Incorporating Ryff's PWB highlighted the positive impact of psychological well-being on TE through autonomy, personal growth, and purpose.Context-specific strategies and inclusive assessments are recommended to optimize technical efficiency in broiler farming, focusing on psychological well-being and subjective perceptions KeywordsMacArthur Subjective Socioeconomic Status (SSS), Ryff's Psychological Well-Being (PWB), Technical Efficiency (TE), Broilers per production, Volatile temperature conditions. Literature ReviewThe global need for chicken meat is anticipated to increase, especially in developing nations (Mottet & Tempio, 2017).In response to this heightened demand, production methods have been intensified to maximize efficiency and productivity, sometimes compromising the well-being and health of chickens (Azarpajouh et al., 2022).In sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), chicken meat is recognized as a highly affordable animal protein source (Butterworth, 2017).The region is experiencing a notable increase in population growth, as highlighted by the UN World Population Prospects in 2019 (UN, 2019) and research by Samboko, Zulu-Mbata, and Chapoto (2018).However, the slow and inconsistent economic growth in SSA has led to a rise in poverty levels among its population (Erdaw & Beyene, 2022; Pinstrup-Andersen and Rosegran, 2001).There is evidence that 3 in every 10 poor people in the world live in SSA (Erdaw & Beyene, 2022; Pinstrup-Andersen and Rosegran, 2001).This is one of the reasons why malnutrition remains problematic and pervasive in the subregion.Dominant in their food basket is food high in carbohydrates because of its relative affordability compared to other food types.However, to close the nutrition gap and sustain the agrifood system in the subregion, poultry production is acknowledged as a fast and effective method to rapidly increase the availability of animal protein (Nwobodo et al., 2023).According to the Global Agricultural Information Network, beginning in 2024, the production of chickens in sub-Saharan Africa is expected to experience steady growth.This growth can be attributed to the development of an increasingly vertically integrated industry that will take advantage of lower feed prices resulting from a strong production of maize and soy.To achieve sustainability in the agrifood system of the subregion, researchers have continued to explore various possible approaches.The adverse effects of climate change on poultry production have been highlighted by the FAO (2018).Improving the environmental sustainability of poultry production is crucial for increasing productivity, as emphasized by Leinonen and Kyriazakis (2016).Alice (2016) identified economic and population growth as primary drivers of chicken consumption in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).This suggests that with the expansion of the economy and an increase in population, chicken consumption is expected to increase as well.Therefore, the projected growth of chicken production in Sub-Saharan Africa presents opportunities for enhancing the agrifood system.To fully harness the potential of the industry in developing economies, it is crucial to address the hurdles brought about by climate change (specifically temperature fluctuations), enhance socioeconomic and environmental sustainability, and promote the psychological well-being of broiler farmers.This is important because of the socioeconomic contributions and nutritional benefits of poultry production, among other benefits (FAO, 2018;Leinonen and Kyriazakis, 2016;Alice, 2016;Blackie, 2014;Erdaw and Beyene, 2022).In Nigeria, the FMA&RD forecast for poultry meat production and demand in 2019 estimated a national output of 551,000 metric tons (MT) and a demand of 1,080,000 MT, resulting in a supply deficit of 529,000 MT.Growth in population and an improved economy are two major drivers that will influence demand for chickens in the future; however, there is a general concern that the current production pattern will be able to produce enough chicken meat to meet the growing demand in Nigeria.This is a result of the low productivity of broiler production in Nigeria (Bethel et al., 2016;and Adesehinwa et al., 2016).In view of the increasing input costs and limited opportunities for expanding farm size laterally, farmers are anticipated to enhance their resource use efficiency to optimize their outputs.According to Farrell (1957), farm efficiency is the capacity of a farm to generate optimal output utilizing available inputs.Different empirical studies on the efficiency of poultry systems have shown that the determinants of inefficiency are influenced by two main factors.The first type of factor is related to the characteristics of the farmer, including demographics (such as age), education, and experience.This has been examined by Yenibehit et al. (2019), Ullah et al. (2019), andOleke &Isinika (2011).The second type of factor is institutional factors, specifically access to credit and extension services.This has been explored by Yenibehit et al. (2019), Ullah et al. (2019), andBethel et al. (2016).These empirical studies highlight the significance of both farmer characteristics and institutional factors in determining the efficiency of poultry systems.Evidence in the literature reveals that psychological well-being enhances human functioning (Kállay & Rus, 2014).An example of farmers' functioning is entrepreneurs' efficient utilization of input resources to achieve optimum output.However, this study revealed that none of the literature has determined the influence of the psychological well-being of poultry farmers on their technical efficiency.This study is significant not only because it is creating a new light for debate on the determinants of technical efficiency but also because recommendations from this study will increase policy options available for policymakers to improve the performance of broiler farmers in Nigeria and other countries in SSA.This is hinged on the fact that poultry farmers in developing economies, such as Nigeria, face a significant challenge of achieving high production levels with limited resources, partly due to the poor state of their psychological well-being.Khan et al. (2022) suggested that optimizing the technical efficiency (TE) of poultry business operations shows great promise as a strategic approach.Farmers need to be healthy to be efficient, and every policy strategy that is targeted at achieving this is a worthy effort. Theoretical BackgroundThe Cobb Douglas production function provides the theoretical underpinnings for this study on the basis of showing the relationship between output and input.The CD function assumes constant returns to scale and unitary elasticity of substitution.For two variable inputs, the function can be expressed as:
DOI: 10.30880/jts.2024.16.02.002
Language: English
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4406633749
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