Small ruminant production in the developing countries - synthesis and recommendations of the consultation
Small ruminant production is a very significant component of livestock production throughout the world and more especially in the developing countries. Sheep and goats have adaptive capacities to survive and produce in difficult environments be they arid, high altitude or extremely cold. Generally small ruminants are efficient converters of forage feeds whether they are farmed in temperate, arid or semi-tropical conditions. Perhaps their greatest advantage relative to large ruminants is their low cost, small size, their suitability to small holdings and in many of the developing countries, their triple purpose use for meat, milk and fibre. Noticeable in the world trends in livestock numbers over the past twenty years is the steady increase in sheep and goat numbers. Increasing numbers, encouraging in some respects, is not enough. The fundamental change must be increased efficiency of production be that biological efficiency, structural/organizational efficiency or more effective use of basic feed resources. Recommendations are given for research and development in genetics and breed improvements, technologies of reproduction, nutrition and feed resources and pasture management and forage crops
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Texto biblioteca |
| Language: | eng |
| Published: |
Roma (Italia) FAO
1986
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| Summary: | Small ruminant production is a very significant component of livestock production throughout the world and more especially in the developing countries. Sheep and goats have adaptive capacities to survive and produce in difficult environments be they arid, high altitude or extremely cold. Generally small ruminants are efficient converters of forage feeds whether they are farmed in temperate, arid or semi-tropical conditions. Perhaps their greatest advantage relative to large ruminants is their low cost, small size, their suitability to small holdings and in many of the developing countries, their triple purpose use for meat, milk and fibre. Noticeable in the world trends in livestock numbers over the past twenty years is the steady increase in sheep and goat numbers. Increasing numbers, encouraging in some respects, is not enough. The fundamental change must be increased efficiency of production be that biological efficiency, structural/organizational efficiency or more effective use of basic feed resources. Recommendations are given for research and development in genetics and breed improvements, technologies of reproduction, nutrition and feed resources and pasture management and forage crops |
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