PERFORMANCE AND EFFICENCY MEASURES OF LAYER PRODUCTION ENTERPRISES IN THE ASHANTI REGION OF GHANA

This paper sought to evaluate the financial viability and efficiency levels of commercial layer bird production by small and medium scale enterprises in Ghana through a comparative analysis. The study was conducted in five districts of the Ashanti Region of Ghana, which has a large share of commercial layer bird production. A multi-stage technique was used to sample data from 100 layer bird farmers. The farm budgetary technique was used to ascertain the profitability of enterprise while a t-test was conducted to compare the efficiency measures of the categories of layer enterprises. Findings from the study revealed that commercial layer bird production is a viable agribusiness venture with positive gross margins and net farm income. The major drivers of production cost were the variable cost of feed, day-old-chicks, medication, and hired-labor. A comparative analysis of selected economic parameters indicates that medium scale farms are more efficient and have favorable gross margins, net farm income, rate of return on investment, profitability index, and benefit cost ratio.