Energy Efficiency Improvement and Input Energy Saving in Broiler Production, Using Data Envelopment Analysis Approach

By increasing population and consequently increasing demand and improving the standard of living, energy use in the poultry industry has risen. The objective of this study was the application of non-parametric method of Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) to analyze the efficiency of broiler producers, discriminate efficient producers from inefficient ones and to identify wasteful uses of energy in order to optimize the energy inputs for broiler production in Alborz province, Iran. Data were collected from 36 broiler producers by using questionnaire and face-to-face interview method. Technical Efficiency, Net Technical Efficiency, Scale Efficiency, and Target Energy Saving Index using Constant Return to Scale (CRS) and Variable Return to Scale (VRS) model based on six energy inputs including chicken, feed, fuel , electricity, machinery, human labor and 2 energy output included broiler and manure. Based on the CRS model, 8 poultry farms (22.22%) and 28 poultry farms (77.78%) of total 36 broiler producers were efficient and inefficient respectively. Also in the VRS model, 20 units (55.56%) were efficient and 16 units (44.44%) were inefficient. The average of TE, NTE and SE were 0.952, 0.987, and 0.964, respectively. The highest share of energy efficiency improvement of total energy saving was related to diesel fuel with 70.06% and then chicken feed and electricity with 23.50% and 6.64% respectively. Broiler producers had the most inefficiency in fuel consumption and had the least inefficiency in chicken use. The inadequacy of diesel consumption due to the coincidence of the incubation period with the cold period, the lack of proper management of consumption, especially in the heating system of salons and the use of diesel as heating fuel for worker houses. The results of this study indicate that there is good potential for increasing energy efficiency of broiler production in Alborz province by following the recommendations for efficient energy use.