Small Poultry Farms Research Articles

Seroprevalence and Associated Risk Factors of Mycoplasma gallisepticum Infection in Poultry Farms of Hawasa and Bishoftu, Central Ethiopia.

BackgroundMycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) infection is an economically important respiratory disease in the poultry production system worldwide. It is characterized by rapid transmission and causing many obstacles to poultry industries in different parts of Ethiopia.MethodsA cross-sectional study was employed from January to September 2021 to estimate the seroprevalence and associated risk factors of MG in domestic layer chickens in large and small commercial poultry farms in Hawassa and Bishoftu area, Ethiopia. A total of 368 blood samples were collected. Data were analyzed using SPSS version-20, reported as percent prevalence, and Pearson's chi-square was used to assess the association between factors considered to have association with MG infection. The samples were processed by using an indirect ELISA (ProFLOKIBV, USA) test coated with antibody against MG.ResultsThe total seroprevalence of MG infection was found to be 70.65%. Significant variation in environmental risk factors with seroprevalence was assessed and the higher prevalence of MG was significantly (χ2 = 14.42; p < 0.05) higher in layer chicken farms found in Bishoftu. Likewise, it was significantly observed in the adult chicken and commercial production system. There were significant difference between breeds and ages of birds with the occurrences of MG (χ2 = 19.60 and χ2 = 17.46, respectively). Management related risk factors found around the types of farms were significantly different with the occurrences of MG (OR = 52.5; p < 0.05).ConclusionThe evidence from seroprevalence of the MG infection in the current finding provides an indication of the eminence of infection in the study areas. Moreover, it provides an insight on the prevalence of MG infection and further molecular characterization of the organism needs to be conducted in the areas. Biosecurity measures combined with vaccination and sero-monitoring should also be implemented in the farms.

ENERGY SUPPLY OF POULTRY FARMS USING THE GAS GENERATOR SET

Poultry manure and the issues of its disposal are pressing problems of any poultry farm, since poultry manure is hazardous waste. The paper presented an alternative method for the disposal of bird manure and the production of thermal and electrical energy on the basis of the gas generator set. The article presents the mathematical model to determine the parameters of the gas generator set. (Research purpose) The research purpose is in reducing the cost of energy supply to small poultry farms using a gas generator set powered by bird manure. (Materials and methods) Methods of mathematical analysis were used; methods of system analysis and synthesis, modeling were used in theoretical research; provisions and laws of thermal balance and mathematics were used. The experimental data obtained were processed using mathematical statistics using electronic computers. (Results and discussion) Authors have developed a technology for the disposal of poultry manure with associated generation of thermal and electrical energy. The characteristics of the gas generator set on poultry manure, as well as the composition of pyrolysis gas were studied: 25 percent divalent carbon monoxide, 18 percent tetravalent carbon monoxide, 17 percent hydrocarbon radical, pyrolysis temperature 700-800 degrees Celsius. The experimental sample of the gas generator set was assembled, taking into account the characteristics of poultry manure as fuel. (Conclusions) This technology has made it possible to solve the problem of recycling poultry manure both from an environmental point of view and from an economic feasibility. During recycling, additional thermal and electrical energy is generated, which can be directed to the needs of poultry production.

Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Poultry Sector in Northern Bangladesh

The COVID-19 pandemic has created an undesirable impact and uncertainty in the poultry sector of Bangladesh. COVID-19 and its accompanying effects have severely affected about 65–70 thousand commercial poultry farms in Bangladesh. Many small and medium poultry farms are closed down or halted production due to the burden of continuous losses. There have been about 30-45% reductions in day-old chick production, 35-40% reductions in poultry feed production and 40-50% in the sale of medicines and other pharmaceutical products. It has created an unwanted mismatch between the demand for and supply of poultry products. This study attempts to determine to what extent the sector has been affected by the COVID-19 crisis. Data were collected from 81 Layer farms in Paba and Bagmara Upazila, 30 Broiler farms in Charghat Upazila and 30 Sonali farms in Paba Upazila of Rajshahi district in Bangladesh using a pretested interview questionnaire. Respondents are interviewed between January 2021 and early July 2021. Collected data are analysed, and the result shows that 88% of Layer, 83% of Broiler and 73% of Sonali farmers do not get sufficient market demand for their products during the COVID-19 pandemic. About 90% of Layer, 86% Broiler and 76% Sonali producers do not get enough market price for eggs and meat. Result also shows the loss among Layer, Broiler and Sonali farms and producers. About 81% of Layer, 76% Broiler and 86% Sonali producers say that they do not get financial support from the government to mitigate losses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Government should retaliate by providing financial assistance to poultry producers and could develop long-term, sustainable strategies to ensure further capacity building.

Impact of COVID‐19 on agricultural production and distribution in South Asia

COVID‐19 conveyed threats to the development of social life and the economy. Social distancing has changed the way of living, with a profound impact on food and agriculture. With this concern, the study was conducted to assess the impact of COVID‐19 on agricultural production and distribution in South Asia. Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan were selected as the study countries since larger agricultural production countries with higher virus invasion numbers posed higher vulnerability than others. It is necessary to unfold the impacts and policy on the agricultural sector so that losses can reduce. The secondary data were taken from different sources. The study proved that limited transportation, shortages of agricultural labor, export, and import restriction hampered agricultural production and distribution in South Asia. Livestock, vegetable, fruit, and fishing sector were more affected than the crop sector. Small poultry farms were closed, milk was discarded, and rotted fruits and vegetables were a source of concern. Different policies were implemented by the governments to recover from production losses. Proper storage management and farm mechanization may reduce the loss of production. Decentralization efforts of government through local (political and co‐operative association) leaders may place the agricultural product to the market at least health hazards.

SEMIAUTOMATED SYSTEM FOR OPTIMIZING THERMAL COMFORT AND REDUCING RICE WASTE IN THE POULTRY BREEDING PROCESS OF SMALL PRODUCERS FROM THE INTERIOR OF THE AMAZON REGION

In the Amazon region, the reality of the conventional laying poultry production chain consists of farms with structures that are inferior to those in other regions, with a massive presence of small poultry farmers, without a water, food and air conditioning automation system. The need for improvements in the poultry process that the small producer needs to produce can be linked to the relationship of implementing technology for monitoring equipment or systems. Therefore, the motivation of this study was the creation of a semi-automated system to optimize the thermal comfort of birds and reduce feed waste in the laying poultry production process for small producers in the interior of the Amazon region in order to reduce mortality and maximize the profit. The methodology designated for the construction of this research was based on the nature of applied research, with a view to the qualitative-quantitative approach, through technical procedures of a case study. After assembly of the semi-automated system for feeding, adding the total savings for feed consumption would be 1964.20 kg of feed, in reais it would be R$ 7,856.80. And for the ambiance system, we have savings on the energy bill of 60.94 reais a month and 731.31 reais a year. The semi-automated systems suggested for small poultry farmers in the Amazon region theoretically fulfill their objective, both for the improvement of waste and for the provision of animal welfare and increased profitability.

Molecular and genetic characterization of avian laryngotracheitis virus isolates obtained in Ukraine

Aim. To conduct a virological, PCR, PCR-RFLP and sequencing study of infectious laryngotracheitis virus (ILTV) isolates obtained from sick and dead chickens at industrial and backyard poultry farms in the eastern region of Ukraine collected over the years 2010–2019 and to establish their pathotype and relationship with internationally occurring strains. Methods. Material for virological studies was collected in the framework of research program of the NSC IEСVM during 2010-2019 in the poultry farms in the North-Eastern region of Ukraine, where the birds with the respiratory clinical signs were found. In total, 28 poultry farms were observed. ILTV isolates were obtained with conventional methods, using 10–12-day-old chicken embryos. A 0,2 ml of 10–20 % suspension of pathological material in PBS was used for inoculation. For in-depth studies, we used 4 isolates of ILTV obtained from sick and dead chickens from industrial and backyard poultry farms in Kharkiv, Luhansk, Donetsk, and Sumy regions from 2010–2019. The identification of ILTV isolates was performed via conventional PCR. The pathotype of ILTV strains was determined using PCR-RFLP (polymerase chain reaction – restriction fragment length polymorphism) analysis. The PCR-RFLP was performed at Royal GD, the Netherlands. The (partial) sequencing of the US8 gene was performed using Sanger sequencing method. The phylogenetic analysis, using sequences of 2 Ukrainian strains (MZ323228, MZ333273) and 17 international gene sequences present in GenBank, was performed using the Maximum Likelihood method. For comparative analysis, sequences of vaccine ILT virus strains were used. Results. Over the years 2010-2019, 7 isolates of ILTV were obtained from sick and dead poultry with typical clinical signs and internal lesions at industrial and backyard farms of the Kharkiv, Donetsk, Luhansk and Sumy regions, and the Autonomous Republic of Crimea. Other avian respiratory viral and bacterial pathogens were not detected. Five isolates were obtained from poultry of industrial holdings where vaccination against ILT is carried out. Using PCR-RFLP analysis of 4 isolates, we found that three of them (Sumy 6-11/19, A 04-12, B 2-10) to belong to vaccine-type ILTV strains and only one, B 59-11strain, belongs to wild-type ILTV. Vaccine-type ILTV strains circulated and possibly still circulate in Ukraine in industrial and backyard poultry farms among both vaccinated and non- vaccinated poultry. An ILTV wild-type strain was obtained from non-vaccinated chickens from a backyard farm, which may indicate an important role of backyard farms in maintaining the circulation of the virus. After partial sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of the ILTV US8 gene the two Ukrainian strains studied were placed into two different clusters: The vaccine-type B 2-10 strain, obtained from sick vaccinated chickens from an industrial farm, was close to vaccine-type strains circulating in, China, Italy and the USA. The wild-type B 59-11strain, obtained from sick non-vaccinated backyard chickens, was located in another cluster and closest to a the wild-type B 59-11 ILTV strain from Brazil. Conclusions. In this article we describe for the first time the characterization of vaccine-type and wild-type isolates of ILTV in industrial and backyard poultry farms, proving their relevance for the poultry production in Ukraine. The results obtained show the need and prospects for further monitoring of ILTV circulation in small backyard poultry farms and in industrial poultry farms, especially following the frequent use for vaccination of live attenuated wild-type ILTV strains in Ukraine. Further molecular, phylogenetic and epidemiological characterization of the strains obtained should be performed in the near future to further precise their attributes, epidemiology and origin.

Аналіз біобезпеки в інкубаторіях промислових птахопідприємств

The movement to ensure Ukraine's integration into the EU is a modern direction of the current state reform. A positive reflection of this process is the official adoption of a number of legislative documents in accordance with international requirements, the standards of which regulate the production of safe and quality products, including poultry. Thus, the implementation of the necessary HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point) requirements for product safety and quality at the level of European standards was able to introduce in the country only a small number of large enterprises in the poultry industry. Most medium and small poultry farms in Ukraine have not implemented the requirements of the HACCP standard and international ISO quality standards, which limited their ability to control product safety in accordance with international requirements and became an obstacle to selling their products in foreign markets. A positive and necessary point of implementation of the European biosafety requirements of the HACCP principles is the expanded possibility in carrying out effective and detailed control of safety and quality indicators of food products in the poultry industry. This control should be established by clearly defined components that are interconnected in interconnected technological processes. Such components in poultry hatcheries are: a detailed analysis of critical control points of hazards of each stage of the production process; use of components and raw materials in general; application of timely monitoring, preventive anti-epizootic and corrective measures to prevent danger at all production sites of poultry hatcheries. Thanks to the constant control of all critical control points of dangers in poultry hatcheries, it is possible to achieve the production of safe and high-quality products obtained from healthy poultry in the poultry industry.

Capturing the Experiences of Samoa: The Changing Food Environment and Food Security in Samoa during the COVID‐19 Pandemic

Capturing the Experiences of Samoa: The Changing Food Environment and Food Security in Samoa during the <scp>COVID</scp>‐19 Pandemic

On station maggot production using poultry litter as substrate: assessment on the quantity and the chemical quality of the litter before and after maggot production in Burkina Faso

The maximization of organic substrates production for land sustainable management is a major challenge for agricultural production in countries like Burkina Faso. The objective of this study was to assess the quantity and the quality of organic substrates produced by poultry activity on station. Therefore, 54 local chickens at eighteen months old were allocated to 3 batches (boxes), with 18 chickens per batch. Rice husk was spread on the floor of the 3 boxes as litter for the chickens. The chickens were reared on the litter for 6 months in semi-confinement. Then, the poultry litter (PL) was used as substrate for maggots’ production. The quantities and the chemical characteristics of the raw PL as well as the residues of the litter after maggots’ production (RMP) were determined, and, simulations were done to estimate the quantities of organic substrates and the chemical nutrients that poultry farms can produce. The results show a production of 226.06 kg DM of PL after 6 months of semi- confinement, with a decrease of 30.33% when the PL was used to produce maggots. Carbon and nitrogen contents also registered a decreased of 8.83 and 8.39% respectively when PL was used to produce maggots. However, with phosphorus and potassium contents, an increase of 49.12 and 34.21% were noted, respectively. It was concluded that small poultry farmers with 30 to 100 adult chickens, could produce the equivalence of 100 to 300 kg of fertilizer (NPK (15-15-15)) in semi-confinement condition.Keywords: local poultry, litter, organics substrates, maggot production, fertilizer, small farm.

Challenges of Small Poultry Farms in Layer Production in Ikwuano Local Government Area of Abia State, Nigeria.

The study assessed constraints to increased layers production among small-scale poultry farmers in Ikwuano Local Government Area of Abia State. Data were collected using a multistage sampling technique to select 120 small-scale poultry farmers. Descriptive statistics (frequencies counts, percentages) were used to describe the socio-economic characteristics of the respondents. The result shows that the mean age of the respondents was 48 years and majority (77.5%) of the farmers had higher education. Majority of the respondents (73%) practiced sweeping and packing of dirt in the poultry house as the daily routine management on their farms. The major constraint faced by the respondents was disease and pest attack (76.7%) followed by difficulty in credit and loan procurement processes (73.3%). The study therefore recommends that Government should tackle the problem of loan/credit procurement, market price instability, disease and pest as well as proper funding of small-scale layers poultry business so as to enhance the commercialization of poultry industry in Nigeria.Keywords: Poultry Farms, Layer Production, Socio-Economic Characteristics, Constraints.

Effects of legume-diet and sex of ducks on the growth performance, physicochemical traits of meat and fatty acid composition in fat

Duck meat enjoys growing popularity among consumers. Alternative protein sources to soybean are being investigated to eliminate genetically modified components from the poultry’ diet. The aim of this study was to compare growth performance, quality of meat, and fatty acid composition in subcutaneous and abdominal fat from ducks fed a diet based on yellow lupin and rapeseed meal, sources of protein alternative to soybean meal (SBM). Ducks were allocated to different dietary treatment groups and reared for 8 weeks (N = 102 per group). Group A received a diet based on SBM, while group B was fed a diet based on yellow lupin with the addition of rapeseed meal. Both groups were divided into two subgroups, of male and female birds. Growth performance parameters and zoometric traits of ducks were monitored during the growth period. After 8 weeks selected birds were slaughtered and dissected (N = 10 per group). Carcass composition was calculated and selected traits of meat quality important for further processing were analysed. Subcutaneous and abdominal fat were collected to analyse fatty acid composition. The alternative diet had no negative effect on ducks’ growth performance parameters and dressing percentage. The replacement of SBM with yellow lupin and rapeseed meal increased n-3 fatty acid content, which is important for consumers. In conclusion, SBM can be replaced with feed containing 60.10% of yellow lupin and 14.00% of rapeseed meal in concentrate. These sources of protein are mainly recommended for small poultry farms, which do not always have access to SBM and prepare poultry feed from their own crops.

Prospects of improving the competitiveness of poultry enterprises in the egg direction

Poultry farming needs constant attention and analysis of trends under the influence of globalization changes. The aim of the work is to summarize the theoretical and practical aspects of improving the competitiveness and economic efficiency of poultry enterprises, to analyze the current state of the organization of chicken egg production, to develop and substantiate general recommendations for improving the state of poultry farming in specialized enterprises. The research methodology includes statistical methods and methods of economic and comparative analysis, etc. The article presents the results of research on the dynamics of poultry development in Ukraine, organizational structure of poultry farming, the general structure of distribution of egg production. Major poultry producers in Ukraine are under review. The main factors that influence the annual competitiveness of poultry enterprises are investigated. The export potential of poultry farming has been analyzed. The problems of modern problems and problematic directions of production of corresponding products concerning the smaller maneuverability of small poultry farms, their inability to influence the market conditions of the poultry breeding industry are investigated. The main threats to the activity of enterprises are determined, first of all, by external factors: the economic situation in the country, which affects the purchasing power of buyers, the level of prices for eggs, increased competition from large enterprises and enterprises of EU Member States, animal disease and the epidemiological situation in the country. Possibilities of further development of poultry farms were analyzed taking into account the existing potential and problems of modern poultry farming. The basic directions of improvement of competitiveness with the purpose of increase of efficiency of poultry farming are determined: improvement of biotechnological processes, improvement of methodological base of state supervision of quality and safety of foodstuff and raw materials; creation of up-to-date analytical frameworks and control of quality and safety of food raw materials and foodstuffs, etc.

Production Challenges in Small and New Poultry Farms in Northern Jordan

Production Challenges in Small and New Poultry Farms in Northern Jordan

Threshold investment and firm viability: Evidence from commercial poultry farms in Nigeria

AbstractRapidly increasing demand for animal protein in many countries in the Global South has generated an expansion of the poultry subsector. This sector is typically diverse, ranging from small backyard farms to commercial farms of varying sizes. As the subsector expands, little is known about the performance or viability of different sizes of operation. Is there a minimum investment required to establish a viable commercial farm? Focusing on Nigeria, Africa's largest economy and most populous country, this study uses nonparametric statistics, transition matrices, and parametric estimations to identify the equilibrium poultry farm size. We find consistent evidence of multiple equilibria, particularly a high‐ and low‐stable equilibrium separated by a threshold between small and large farms. Farms are highly likely to remain in the size category in which they begin; small poultry farms are unlikely to cross the threshold and transition to large ones. We also find that larger farms are better able to withstand a price shock than smaller farms, which are more likely to cease operations in the event of a shock. These underlying dynamics should be given due consideration by governments, donors and private sector as they enter the industry or encourage others to engage in it [EconLit citations: O12‐Microeconomic Analyses of Economic Development, L11‐Production, Pricing, and Market Structure • Size Distribution of Firms, Q12‐Micro Analysis of Farm Firms, Farm Households, and Farm Input Markets].

BOKO HARAM INSURGENCY AND VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN IN NORTHEASTERN NIGERIA

Violence against women generally has attracted the attention of many scholars globally. This study examines the violence against women perpetrated by the Boko Haram insurgency in the affected area of North Eastern Nigeria, where the Boko Haram insurgency is more predominant. For the purpose of this research convenient sampling was used to explore the experiences of women. A qualitative method of data collection was used. Both secondary and primary data was obtained through face to face individual interview where the original information was gathered from 18 victims of Boko Haram violence in Maiduguri, Borno state capital. The research discovered that the violence experienced by women in the affected areas is both physical and psychological. However, the physical violation has been more pronounced, as women are used for suicide bombings and are as well sexually abused. Many women went through sexual violence; the threat of being killed and later on serves as suicide bombers under Boko Haram insurgent’s custody. While some are still suffering from psychological trauma particularly those who witnessed the killings of either their children, spouses or other relatives. Furthermore, these women are mostly into small scale businesses in their homes such as knitting of caps, small poultry farms, animals fattening and etc but they were forced to abandon everything and ran for their lives. The study recommends psychosocial support to the victims and the provision of economic empowerment so as to enable the women to restart their businesses to give them a sense of belonging since most of them are business-oriented. This will help in making them adjust to new positive and favourable lives.

Agriculture in Nigeria’s Economic Diversification Process: A Study of a Poultry Outgrower Scheme

Nigeria’s current economic plan targets diversification through leveraging the power of the private sector in order to enable and fast‐track business investments and job creation. This paper reports a study of a model of a poultry outgrower scheme ‐ Akwa Prime, used in catalysing private investments in the poultry sector of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. The scheme shares the potential of combined strength of the state and that of the private sector in stimulating increased production and integrating of small livestock farmers to the national economy. The study’s specific objectives were to examine the extent of smallholder farmer involvement in contract negotiations including price setting; the role of the key participants, particularly the regulatory function of the state in an out‐grower scheme construct; and the impact of the scheme on socioeconomic improvement of smallholder farmers. This research was conducted with 42 smallholder independent broiler poultry farmers who are registered members of the Akwa Prime outgrower scheme and receiving a range of input support and good production practices aimed at optimization. Findings show a positive impact of the scheme on small independent poultry farmers’ productivity, profitability and survival. Contract negotiations and key participants role were fully documented. Participating farmers were found to have high income and stocking density while the cost of day old chicks and other production inputs provided by the scheme accounted for 99.1% (R2=.991) of the variation in farmers income. This positive change on the bottom line of small independent poultry farmers indicate the prospects for greater deployment of out‐grower model to stimulate agriculture productivity and growth. However, despite some benefits there were major bottlenecks including compromised role of the state, imposed buyback price on farmers and late offtaking of the finished stock. The implication of this finding is that small poultry farmers left alone with their independent business choices may not stimulate much diversification driven by agriculture.

Analysis of supply chain management in ABC poultry using system dynamics approach

This study discusses supply chain management to produce broilers in ABC Poultry using System Dynamics approach. Small poultry farm in Indonesia must make a decision to sustain itself in the midst of needs to increase its capacity and facing issue with dependency to day-old chick producers. The purpose of this study is to analyse the supply chain management to increase profitability of the poultry in between two options of decision, buying the day-old chicks from third-party supplier or doing vertical integration to produce its own day-old chicks. This study found that doing vertical integration is the best option for the poultry because it can increase the profitability of the poultry and reduce the sensitivity of day-old chick price to the poultry.

UKRAINE’S PLACE AND CHALLENGES IN THE EASTERN EUROPEAN PRODUCTION OF CHICKEN EGGS

Research subject. This report examines the current situation in poultry egg sector development in countries of Eastern Europe, features and challenges for Ukrainian eggs sector. The aim of the work is to summarize theoretical and practical aspects of improving the economic efficiency of poultry industry enterprises, to analyse the current state of the organization of egg poultry production, to develop and substantiate general recommendations for improving the state of the poultry industry at specialized enterprises. The methodology of the study includes statistical methods and methods of economic and comparative analysis, etc. The article presents the results of research on the dynamics of poultry development in Eastern Europe and Ukraine in particular. The movement of poultry, the level of poultry production and the production of chicken eggs, consumption of poultry products are analysed. The functional and organizational structure of the poultry business in Ukraine is developed. The general structure of poultry production allocation is provided, which proves the formation of poultry farming as an industrial business and reduction in the share of poultry keeping in households due to the concentration of production in specialized enterprises. The main producers of poultry products in Ukraine are revised. The dynamics of sales prices for chicken eggs and main factors influencing its annual fluctuations are investigated. The export potential of poultry farming is analysed, as well as the main importer countries of Ukrainian poultry production. The issue of modern challenges and problem areas of production of the corresponding products is investigated, concerning less manoeuvrability of small poultry farms, their inability to influence the conjuncture of the poultry market. The main threats to the activities of enterprises are named, first of all, by external factors: the economic situation in the country, which affects purchasing power of buyers, the level of egg prices, increased competition from large enterprises and enterprises of EU member states, livestock diseases and the epidemiological situation in the country. The analysis of the possibilities of further development of poultry farms, taking into account the existing potential and modern poultry business problems, is carried out. The main directions for improving production with the aim of improving the efficiency of the poultry industry are determined: improving biotechnological processes, providing a set of measures improving poultry, compliance stocking density of birds in the poultry house, proper nutrition by scientifically grounded norms of consumption of nutrients and elements; improvement of methodological basis of state supervision over the quality and safety of food products and raw materials; creation of modern instrumental analytical framework and quality control and safety of food raw materials and foodstuffs, etc.

Investment climate constraints, network isomorphism and survival among small commercial poultry farms in Ghana

The study seeks to the role SME network isomorphism to survival using data from a two-year network survey of poultry enterprises in Ghana. The data was collected between January 2014 and March 2015. The study seeks to understand the usefulness of network isomorphism as structural conformance in a network in aiding the survival of SMEs. Isomorphism was measured as structural equivalence between actors in the collaborative network we developed from the data. First, it is found that there is a high failure rate among the SMEs of about 40%. Secondly, isomorphic SMEs have a better survival probability and such isomorphism was very useful in overcoming investment climate constraints. However, the isomorphism reaches an optimum and returns negative effects. The findings imply that while technical efficiency is important to the survival of enterprises, business managers must also be attuned to the influencing role of structural conformance in an industry.

Investment climate constraints, network isomorphism and survival among small commercial poultry farms in Ghana

Investment climate constraints, network isomorphism and survival among small commercial poultry farms in Ghana