Technical indicators and economic performance of dairy goat farms in Greece: An efficiency analysis

Abstract

In this study the efficiency level of dairy goat farms in Greece and their main technical and economic indicators were analysed. The analysis was based on farm accounting data collected from 96 goat farms in the Regions of Macedonia and Thrace in Northern Greece through face-to-face interviews. A Data Envelopment Analysis model was applied to estimate the efficiency level of the farms. The mean efficiency score was 0.79, indicating the irrational use of the available inputs, while 75% of the sample farms was deemed as technically inefficient. A comparative technical and economic analysis was conducted using milk yield and efficiency level as classification criteria. The results indicated significant difference in the utilization of inputs among low and high milk yield farms and efficient and inefficient farms. The farm size in terms of does (adult female animals), labor and land use, production cost and gross margin varied substantially as the milk yield increased. Moreover, the optimal plan under which farms operate efficiently was estimated and the results showed large adjustments are required in the low milk yield farms regarding the use of the main production factors.