This study aims to assess the small ruminant value chain in Al-Ruwaished District, Jordan, to identify the potential intervention areas that could improve the production efficiency and guarantee the ...sustainability of the small ruminant sector in this area. Sheep breeding is the source of livelihood for most of the people in Al-Ruwaished District, which is characterized by the large number of sheep and goats. We surveyed 5.0% of the small ruminant holders in the study area and conducted individual interviews and surveys with the potential actors in the value chain to undertake a small ruminant value chain analysis. From the survey, we found that the small ruminant value chain consists of five core functions, namely, input supply, production management, marketing, processing, and consumption. Despite the large number of holdings that gives an impression of the stability to the small ruminant sector, the surveyed results show a clear fragility in the value chain of small ruminants in this area. The small ruminant production system is negatively impacted by climate change, especially continuous drought. In addition, the high prices of feed that the farmer cannot afford with clear and real absence of the governmental and non-governmental support activities also impact the development of the value chain. The results of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analysis reveal that the major constraints faced by this value chain could be divided into external and internal threats. Specifically, the most prominent external threats are the nature of the desert land and continuous drought, while the major internal threats are the absence of appropriate infrastructure, shortage of inputs, and weakness in the production management and marketing. We proposed solutions to these challenges to ensure the sustainability and effectiveness of the sector, such as the formulation of emergency response plans to severe weather, qualifying farmers’ skills, and establishment of agricultural cooperative societies.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
Under climate change, animal breeding faces severe nutritional challenges, exhibiting their resilience and efficiency to survive and produce. The animals' robustness can be evaluated through the use ...and reconstitution of body reserves (BR). This study investigated the dynamics of ewes' BR, measured through body weight (BW) and the body condition score (BCS), and their effect on production performances of 480 ewes belonging to fat-tailed Barbarine (BB) and thin-tailed Queue Fine de l'Ouest (QFO) ewes over two consecutive years. The BW and BCS were recorded across physiological stages. Reproductive parameters and lambs' growth were calculated. For both years and breeds, the decrease in the BCS between mating and lambing showed BR mobilization to balance nutritional restrictions, which continues until suckling; after weaning, a BR accretion was noted. The lambs' birth weight was similar regardless of the dams' BCS at lambing, though it was lower in the second year (3.5 vs. 4 kg). Lambs' growth parameters depended on ewes' BCS at lambing and weaning. Fertility rates changed with BCS changes and the higher values (80%) were recorded for ewes with BCSs between 2 and 2.5. However, prolificacy was similar for both breeds and years (
> 0.05). In conclusion, ewes have developed adaptative capacities through BR mobilization to cope with environmental challenges and successfully rear their offspring. To maintain a high offspring growth rate, it is recommended to plan correct flock nutrition during suckling.
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DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
This study analyzed the genetic variability, inbreeding and population structure of the Tunisian-North African dairy sheep breed, the Sicilo-Sarde (SS), created by crossing the Sarda and Comisana ...dairy breeds. The level of variability in the SS, considered as an endangered breed after a dramatic decrease, was assessed using 17 microsatellite markers by analyzing the two breed populations sampled from their respective cradles: SS of Beja (SS
,
= 27) and SS of Mateur (SS
,
= 25). High levels of genetic diversity in SS were revealed, with a total of 212 alleles, a high mean number of alleles (12.47 ± 4.17) and a high average polymorphism information content (PIC) (0.81 ± 0.10). The observed heterozygosity was considerable in SS
and SS
(0.795 and 0.785, respectively). The inbreeding level measured by the population inbreeding coefficient
is higher in the SS
population (0.121) than in the SS
population (0.090). The higher genetic diversity level detected in SS
reflected the effect of new Italian Sarda genes introduced by intra-uterine artificial insemination recently practiced in this population. The Wilcoxon test and the mode-shift distribution indicated that the SS breed is a non-bottlenecked population. The structural analysis reflected the historical miscegenation practiced during the breed creation and highlighted further ancient miscegenation, which could date back to the first waves of sheep introduction to the western Mediterranean region. Microsatellite markers were successfully applied in the assessment of the genetic variability of SS and should be used in monitoring this variability during the application of conservation strategies.
Non-commercialized sheep breeds known as local or native breeds are well adapted to their environmental constraints and constitute precious genetic resources that need prioritization for genetic ...diversity characterization and preservation. The aim of the present study was to assess the genetic diversity level and the related preservation decisions of very old and traditional native Mediterranean sheep breeds from Tunisia and Italy using 17 microsatellite markers. In total, 975 sheep were sampled from five Tunisian, one Center Italian, and four Venetian native breeds. Both private and publicly available farms were considered for each breed for breeding strategies’ comparison purposes. The microsatellite set used was highly informative (PIC = 0.80 ± 0.08), with a total of 383 alleles. Moderate genetic differentiation was revealed between the native sheep of the two Mediterranean sides (global overall loci FST = 0.081). The genetic diversity level was higher in the case of the Tunisian native breeds compared to the Italian ones, as evidenced by higher mean allelic richness, higher expected and observed heterozygosities, and lower inbreeding levels. Priority for conservation suggestions was carried out for each private or public breed population based on the contribution of each population to the diversity of the whole data. The four Venetian breeds, already undergoing conservation, the Tunisian dairy breed, and the very ancient Maghrebian breed, would be favored for conservation. In conclusion, our results highlighted the importance of the analyzed Mediterranean native sheep breeds as valuable inherited genetic reservoirs and supported previous conservation decisions made for the threatened breeds.
Global climate change inflicts unambiguous risks on agricultural systems and food security. Small ruminants are known for their ability to adapt to changing environmental conditions. This paper aims ...to characterize sheep production systems in a vulnerable agricultural zone and the breeders' perceptions of climate change to apprehend challenges that they are confronting, and formulate resilience actions. The data analysis is based on 94 semi-structured surveys of sheep farmers carried out in the Tunisian semi-arid region. The PCA analysis results revealed three main sheep production systems. The agro-pastoral rain-fed system (AGPRF) is dominant (55%), with large farms and common pastures integrating cereals and fodder. The agro-pastoral irrigated system (AGPI: 20%) is characterized by small-area and forage irrigation (1.8 ha) and a smaller number of ewes but a greater use of animal feed supplementation. The agro-sylvo-pastoral system (AGSP: 25%) is a system where grazing is based on common lands and using tree sub-products, while the agricultural area is exclusively used to cultivate cereal crops. Sheep breeders' climate perceptions are summarized as unpredictable climate events, a decrease in precipitation, and an increase in temperature. Resilience actions principally consist of reducing flocks' numbers, using alternative local feed, fodder, and water resources, and building more shelters and planting more trees in the grazing areas. Nevertheless, cost-effectiveness should be considered in such vulnerable zones to insure the sheep production systems' sustainability.
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DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
In this study, the genetic relationship and the population structure of western Mediterranean basin native sheep breeds are investigated, analyzing Maghrebian, Central Italian, and Venetian sheep ...with a highly informative microsatellite markers panel. The phylogeographical analysis, between breeds’ differentiation level (Wright’s fixation index), gene flow, ancestral relatedness measured by molecular coancestry, genetic distances, divergence times estimates and structure analyses, were revealed based on the assessment of 975 genotyped animals. The results unveiled the past introduction and migration history of sheep in the occidental Mediterranean basin since the early Neolithic. Our findings provided a scenario of three westward sheep migration phases fitting properly to the westward Neolithic expansion argued by zooarcheological, historical and human genetic studies.
This study aims to analyze the small ruminant value chain in the North-Eastern Badia region of Jordan, which is a significant source of income for local farmers. The objectives include characterizing ...the value chain, identifying stakeholders and their roles, and addressing the challenges it faces for long-term sustainability. Primary data was collected through a structured survey from 80 small ruminant holders in the district. The survey covered various aspects such as input supplies, husbandry practices, processing, marketing, and consumption. Additionally, individual interviews were conducted to analyze the value chain. The findings revealed a diverse range of actors involved in the value chain, including input suppliers, producers, animal collectors, traders, processors, and consumers. The SWOT analysis highlighted key issues such as high feed costs, limited and arid rangelands, inadequate government services, and unstable decisions. Moreover, neighboring small ruminant holders near Syrian refugee camps faced challenges related to land pollution caused by the refugees. In conclusion, besides to the negative impact of the climate change on the farms management due, particularly, to the consecutive drought years, the small ruminant value chain in the study area lacks organization and is not sufficiently supported by the governmental and non-governmental entities, and the Syrian refugees’ situation. Keywords: Small ruminant, Value chain, Sustainability, SWOT analysis, Jordan, North-Eastern Badia Basalt Plateau.
In order to deal with the effects of globalization, urbanization, increase in world population, global warming, and climate change; and according to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 2 targets, ...which aim to end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture, it is urgently needed to transform our agriculture and livestock farming systems by taking into account the environmental considerations. The Breeding and management practices of indigenous bovine breeds: Solutions towards a sustainable future (BOVISOL) project is a scientific cooperation between three Mediterranean countries (Greece, Tunisia and Algeria) supported and funded by the European Commission under the European Research Area Networks (ERA-NET) scheme of the 7th Framework Programme. This project has been formed around the hypothesis that the local bovine breeds must be preserved since they possess a valuable genetic pool, and they are a part of the landscape and the biodiversity of rural areas. Moreover, their products (milk, cheese, meat, etc.) could contribute significantly to the local economies as they could easily be associated with recent food trends like “local” and “slow food”, which are considered today, as, not only a mean of nutrition, but also a way of living and a part of people’s identity. BOVISOL project aims to: (i) identify the local breeds and populations in a national level, (ii) describe the existing farm and breeding practices, (iii) analyze the quality of the main local animal products, (iv) propose solutions that will promote the sustainability of the traditional farming systems, especially nowadays that climate change proposes new challenges on animal production, and (v) disseminate the solutions on all the levels of the sector (farmers, scientists, local communities, governmental agencies).
The indigenous cattle populations are threatened by extinction in many countries of the Mediterranean area. The objective of this study is the analysis of local cattle breeds’ production systems in ...Algeria, Greece, and Tunisia and the identification of their future challenges and opportunities. A total of 385 surveys were conducted in these study areas: central and northern Greece (43); northern and northwestern Tunisia (167), and northeastern Algeria (175). Data collected concerned socio-economic parameters as well as the production system’s functionality, constraints, and opportunities. Results revealed an average farmers’ age of 52.6 years old. The illiteracy rate is high, especially in Algeria (39%) and Tunisia (44%), where the farm size is relatively small with an average of 14 and four animals per farm, respectively. In Greece, much higher numbers were recorded (89 animals/farm). The average cultivated feedstuffs’ area is larger in Greece (12.07 ha) and smaller in Algeria and Tunisia (6.11 and 2.88 ha, respectively). Feeding resources are based on rangelands. Farming systems are traditional extensive and complemented when needed. Milk and meat marketing vary throughout countries and are not well valorized. The main constraints are high feeding costs, low milk and meat prices, and absence of labeling. Local and local-crossbred bovine populations could be valorized based on their good adaptation criteria when applying convenient genetic and development strategies.
In this study, the genetic relationship and the population structure of western Mediterranean basin native sheep breeds are investigated, analyzing Maghrebian, Central Italian, and Venetian sheep ...with a highly informative microsatellite markers panel. The phylogeographical analysis, between breeds’ differentiation level (Wright’s fixation index), gene flow, ancestral relatedness measured by molecular coancestry, genetic distances, divergence times estimates and structure analyses, were revealed based on the assessment of 975 genotyped animals. The results unveiled the past introduction and migration history of sheep in the occidental Mediterranean basin since the early Neolithic. Our findings provided a scenario of three westward sheep migration phases fitting properly to the westward Neolithic expansion argued by zooarcheological, historical and human genetic studies.
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