Integrating goat production in the small farm system in the Caribbean
The land resource for viable agricultural production is critically limiting in many island territories in the CARICOM Region. A Small Farm Baseline Survey in some of these territories has shown the majority of farmers operating less than 2.0 hectares. One of the most crucial issues is how to improve productivity on such small farms to levels which can support farm families at acceptable living standards. The other problem is low income resulting from land scarcity on the small islands. Although the major land use is multiple cropping, the livestock component is of importance. The greatest potential exists with small ruminants, particularly goats, because there is a relatively high demand for goat meat. One problem is the generally poor nutritional status of animals especially during the dry season when forage is scarce. By improving the level of nutrition and their genetic quality, productivity can be significantly increased. Small farmers must be made aware of the income potential of goat production, and the marketing system needs to be better organized. The livestock of small farms is used primarily for subsistence, and crops constitute the major source of income. Livestock on small farms in the Caribbean utilize farm family labour that would otherwise be idle. Livestock operations on small farms are not commercially-oriented even though production capacity seems to exceed household requirements. By integration of cropping activites with goat production it should be possible to utilize nutritionally valuable crop-residues to increase animal productivity. This should provide an opportunity for small farmers in the Caribbean to enhance farm income and improve farm family living
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Texto biblioteca |
| Language: | eng |
| Published: |
Scottsdale, AZ (EUA)
1982
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