The objective of this study was to identify development tendencies of farms that rear local goat breeds, and the level of application of intensive management elements, in order to design proper preservation policies. The study was based on the data collected in 52 farms that keep goats of five local breeds in Albania. Statistical data processing (SPSS) has shown that the main reason for keeping local goats is the adaptation to biophysical conditions (84.6% of farmers), resistance to pathologies (34.6%), quality of product for human use (34.5%), high productivity (15.4%). About 36.5% of farmers plan to increase number of animals. This tendency is more evident at bigger farms. These farms are more the market oriented, and show a higher management level, as use of concentrate before and after kidding, use of hay during the winter, higher replacement rate etc. They have higher kidding percentage, compared with other farms. Practices to avoid inbreeding are more common at bigger farms but the problem still exists. Reduction of number of purebred local goats and number of farms increase the threat to local breeds. Differences evidenced in the study show that bigger farms are better structures for preservation of local goat breeds. Development policies, especially those in protection of local breeds need to focus mainly in bigger farms that may become model farms or ARC farms in mountain and hilly areas.
A geographical indication (GI), is a sign used on goods that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities, reputation or characteristics that are essentially attributable to that origin (WIPO, 2012). Developing geographic indication requires a large amount of work in several sectors including applied research, product development, marketing and community development. The BIODIV Balkan project in Albania, have taken the initiative to develop three pilot GI products. The main objective was to support local products and agro biodiversity heritage of the local agrarian systems, crossing environmental injunction for biodiversity conservation with social and economic objectives of rural development. In the case of Hasi goat kid meat, several studies have been implemented including molecular genetics research, morphologic characterization of the breed, identification of characteristics of the product, identification of local pasture biodiversity, identification of specifics of production system that affect quality of the product, pastoral system and feeding practices, etc., that have been the foundation for identification of product's characteristics attributed to the territory of origin. Based on the product characteristics, territory specifics and human capacities, it was prepared the Code of Practice, which is a document that comprises description of all specifics and all collective rules, to be respected by all group members who want to use the quality mark. Taking in account the complex work, and especially the research needed to identify product specifics, as well as the need for an institution to take the initiative for building GI, the authors consider that research institutions should take the leading role in this process opening a new very applicable research priority.
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