The contribution of small ruminants in alleviating poverty in ... - LiFLoD

The contribution of small
ruminants in alleviating poverty in
arid regions of Egypt
Helmy R. M. Metawi
Animal Production Research Institute. Agriculture
Research Center,
Cairo, Egypt
hrmmetawi@hotmail.com

Introduction

The northwestern coastal zone
of Egypt (NCZE) is classified
as arid zone with annual
rainfall ranges between 100
and 170 mm mainly during
November –March. Agriculture
activities include horticulture
(fig and olive) and growing
barley.

Most Bedouins producers run sheep
and goats together, as their principal
livelihood activity, which contribute
substantially to the family income and
nutrition.
Flock/ herd size is between 30 and 250
but it can reach > 500 in some
instances.

Barki sheep and Barki goats are the breeds
raised under that system.
Ram
Ewes

The agro-pastoral production
system prevails in this area.
This system has been fragilized
by drought that has become more
frequent and worsened by human
activities.

Over the last two decades, several
technological interventions and
development projects in terms of
small ruminant's management, health
and genetic improvement were
implemented in this area in order to
reduce land degradation and
resolving household's problems and
constrains.

The study aimed to:
1. Provide a better understanding of sheep
and goat production system in the arid
areas in Egypt by taking NCZE as an
example.
2.Analyze the consequences of drought in the
target area.
3.Reviews the potential impact of some
alternative technologies, highlighting
aspects determining their success or failure.

Material and methods

Data collection and analysis
A random sample of 162 producers was
selected for single – visit interviews, conducted
between May and September 2007. A detailed
pre-tested questionnaire was used to collect
data on general household characteristics,
production resources, and flock management
and input and output parameters.

Parallel to the household survey, 31 flocks were
asked to continue with performance test of their
small ruminants flocks. Regular monthly visits
were conducted to each of these flocks over a
period of two years. The periodic data provided
detailed information on the dynamics of
resource use, flock changes and animal
performance.

Farm budget
Whole farm budget was performed using
Microsoft Excel spreadsheet. Families were
stratified into two categories according to family
income.
The gross margin is estimated for each of farm
activities as the difference between total
revenue and total variable costs. . The costs
and benefits were converted into monetary
terms using farm gate prices (US$=LE5.8)
during the study.

The financial analysis of sheep and goat
production accounted only for paid
expenditures as feeding, hired labor, veterinary
care costs and some other miscellaneous items
such as service charge cost in the case of flock
without sires .While the economic analysis
accounted for all paid and unpaid input costs
including family labor cost, which was given an
opportunity cost.

Simulation model
A dynamic computer model
was used to simulate sheep
and goats efficiency in a
shifting environment.

The NCZE environment was characterized by an average base
year and a drought year. In drought year rangelands, resources
were reduced, so that sheep and goats are facing serious
nutrient shortages and often depend on expensive feed
supplements.

The management practices simulated
corresponded in general to those employed by
the small ruminant owners in this area.
Small ruminant management was based on
primary experiences and modern technology
was not applied.
Most of the breeders try to induce kidding at the
most favorable period of the year. They
selected their sires from their own flocks based
on their dam performance and their own
phenotype.
The mating is not well managed and has
resulted in inbreeding.

Flocks graze natural pastures during winter and
spring. Outside of the rainy season, small
ruminants graze low quality herbage and
depend on supplementary feeding.
The supplementation-feeding period depends
mainly on the rainfall. Supplementation is based
on the female reproductive state and practiced
only with lactating female.
Kids/ lambs are not generally wean

Results and Discussion

The major features of the agro-pastoral production system
Character
No. of households
Family size, person
Farm size, feddan 1
Flock size, head
Flock composition:
Goat only, %
Sheep only, %
Mixed flocks, %
% of goats in mixed flock
Source of Income :
Crop cultivation, %
Fruits:
Olive,%
Fig,%
Small ruminants,%
Non-farm activities,%
Gross income, LE,%
High income
Bedouins
54
15.5
121
225
0
25
75
7
22.6
8.3
13.9
43.6
11.6
143847.8
Household category
Low income
Bedouins
108
10.5
16
48.9
12
17
71
21.8
15.8
6.2
8.4
47.7
21.9
26975

Characterization of small ruminant
households
The high income Bedouins (HIB) constitutes
only 33.3% of the total surveyed
households.
High income Bedouins may have capital and
land but may lack own labour.On the other
hand, (LIB) may have abundant labor but
may lack land and capital.

The effects of drought on small
ruminant flock performance

Characters
Flock structure :
Mature females, %
Mature males, %
Immature females (4-
12months), %
Immature males (4-12months)%
Lambs of both sexes
(

Alleviating impact of drought.

Research and development projects implemented in
this area
Adoption rate
Research – development
projects
Objective
Household
Response
Low
income
Bedouins
High
income
Bedouins
Rotational grazing
technique
Improve range
productivity
Not encouraging
low
Low
Planting shrubs
Reducing feed cost
Not encouraging
Low
Low
Use of mineral mixture
Overcome mineral
deficiency
Very
encouraging
Medium
High
Ammoniated of cereal
straw
Reducing feed cost
Encouraging
Low
Low
Early weaning fattening
lamb
Improve the profit of
fattening
Encouraging
Low
Low
Introduction of Damascus
breed genes
Goats genetic
improvement
Very
encouraging
Medium
High
Preventive health care
Improve flock
productivity
Encouraging
Low
Medium

Use of mineral mixture in concentrate feed was
demonstrated to households to overcome
mineral deficiency problem. They reported that
mineral supplementation was helpful in
increasing animal appetite and no symptoms of
mineral deficiency .Now farmers started
purchasing the mineral mixture from the local
market and mixing in the concentrate.

The success rate of replacing the indigenous goats by
Damascus crossbred is very encouraging. Superiority of
Damascus crosses over the Barki in their milk production
amount to 48% during suckling. They continue milking for 2-3
months after weaning providing the breeders with recognizable
amount of surplus milk for selling or domestic use, besides
producing.

upgrade the feeding value of
cereal straw using ammonia and
urea.
Household response was
encouraging; they observed an
improvement in some productive
traits, straw intake and decreasing
the feeding cost.

The most recommended shrubs are a
triplex and acacia species. Fodder
shrubs are used for several purposes:
as a protein supplement and forage
techniques concentrate all; can assist
producers to get a higher dressing
source for livestock
Early weaned lamb fattening
percentage, feed conversion and
weight gain.

Conclusion

Development programmes that focus
on improving small ruminant
productivity thus also have the effect
of alleviating poverty.
Genetic improvement to optimize the
use of feed resources will reduce
farmers risk associated with drought,
and protect range resources from
degradation by a better adjustment of
flock sizes to rangeland carrying
capacity.

Low income Bedouins is not in a position to introduce
technical packages for improving their flock
productivity due to their limited resources like capital.
Furthermore, severe stressors like crop failures and
unemployment makes (LIB) more sensitive to
droughts. It is suggested that (LIB) through their
associations or societies establish emergency funds in
order to help them sustain their main stocks and buy
the necessary feedstuffs and medications at the
proper times.
Sustainable development in NCZE can only be
achieved through optimum utilization of the natural
resources. It is important to take into consideration
socio-economic factors that influence small ruminant
development programs to enhance their success.

Infrastructure and support
services must be established to
enable such technologies to
succeed and reach small-scale
breeders.
Extension services play a crucial
role in creating awareness among
farmers of the impact of
technology in terms of yields and
income.