A basic characterization of small-holders’ goat production systems in Laghouat area, Algeria

Abstract

In order to investigate the practices of goat breeding and establish a classification of goat herds, a survey was conducted with 106 goat breeders in the semi-arid region of Laghouat. Two indigenous breeds were encountered in this survey: the Arabia and the Mekatia; the Arabia being found as the dominant. The results show that breeders choose the breeding goats with a goal of generating more income in cash from the sale of products. The goat milk marketing chain appears to be weak. The milk produced is primary used for home consumption. A multivariate analysis categorized the goat farming of Laghouat region into three groups corresponding to three different farming systems: cluster 1 (pastoral system), cluster 2 (mixed crop-livestock system) and cluster 3 (small herds in zero grazing system). The in-depth study of the goals and contexts of goat farming in Laghouat will allow policy makers to design strategies for sustainable development of goat breeding in the region.

Characterization and typology of goat production systems in Algeria based on producers survey

“…Goat breeding in Algeria, associated with sheep breeding, is a very important agricultural activity, especially in the most disadvantaged regions where it contributes to the family economy to meet the urgent needs of the farmer. The predominance of men interviewed in this study is in line with that already observed in Algeria by Laouadi et al (2011Laouadi et al ( , 2018 in Laghouat (98.11% and 94.3%, respectively), Kadi et al (2014) in the mountainous area of Kabylia (86.2%). The same was also observed in Egypt and Nigeria by Abd-Allah et al (2019) and Iyiola-Tunji and Issa (2010), respectively.…”

“…The same was also observed in Egypt and Nigeria by Abd-Allah et al (2019) and Iyiola-Tunji and Issa (2010), respectively. The average age of the interviewed farmers was 45.6 years, which is consistent with the results of Laouadi et al (2018), Guilherme et al (2017) and Abd-Allah et al (2019).…”

“…In the present study, 35.46% of the farmers surveyed had a very low intellectual level (illiterate), which is lower than the results reported in Algeria by Laouadi et al (2018) in Laghouat (44.3%) and Hadbaoui (2013) in M'sila (60%) and in Brazil by Guilherme et al (2017) (83.9%). In addition, 1.42% of the herders had attended university, a low rate compared to the results reported by Abd-Allah et al 2019where 19% had a university degree.…”

“…Indeed, these low results could indicate that young people are not interested in goat rearing and are moving toward the practice of quick and easy income professions such as trade (Laouadi et al 2018). This is also a consequence of the migration of young people to urban centers in search of better living conditions (Lima and Baiardi 2000).…”

Caracterización morfológica de cabras indígenas en el área de Laghouat en Argelia.

“…Moreover, with the lack of selection scheme in Algeria, the practice of uncontrolled crossbreeding between native and exotic breeds (mainly Saanen and Alpine) and between local breeds has increased, resulting in the loss of traits expressed by local breeds particulary for Mekatia and M'zabite (Ouchene-Khelifi et al 2015). In the study area (Laghouat), goats are very important in livelihoods of local population, being a source of cash income, milk and meat (Laouadi et al 2018). Two breeds dominate in the region, namely the Arabia and the Mekatia, however lacked of characterization.…”