Analysis of efficiency of pig farms in the Valencian community (Spain)

Abstract

In recent decades, the livestock sector has been immersed in profound changes due to legislative changes, concerning both its polluting potential. Community, national and regional policies were designed to change the management of these operations, thus affecting both the number of farms and their size. Current legislation addresses multiple aspects of livestock activity, with the control and prevention of pollution primarily in the pig sector. Livestock production of the Valencian Community in Spain is characterized by family farms with high industrialization, and independent of the land factor. The aim of the paper is to analyse the level of efficiency of livestock farms in the CV, from building of representative inputs of existing provisions in the farm. Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) is used for the accomplishment of this study. The results allow to identify which are the best patterns of behaviour to grow in competitiveness and resource savings.