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

Abstract

Abstract Background Goats, often associated with sheep, are a vital part of the national economy in many countries around the world, and goat farming contributes significantly to the family economy, sustainable livelihoods and poverty reduction. In order to study the goat farming system in Algeria, this study, which started between September 2012 and June 2015, involved 141 farms in 104 villages and 21 wilayas in Algeria. Results The results showed that 99.29% of the goats producers were male, most of which (74.47%) were not the owners of the animals. Goat farming represents a main activity for only 18.44% of the farmers surveyed. They are generally found in small numbers often associated with a large sheep herd (78.72%). Of the 141 farms visited, 50.35% use a sedentary farming system, 17.71% practice seasonal transhumance during the dry season (May to October), and 31.91% are semi-sedentary. However, it is worth noting that females (85.82%) are often more numerous than males (14.18%) in the herd. The farm that generally constitutes the shelter is reduced in most cases to a simple pen, without a roof, inside which the animals are enclosed and whose space is delimited by a metal or wooden fence. Hygiene is in the majority of cases poor (57.45%). Most of the farms (78.01%) do not contain goats of the same breed, and crossbreeding is generally not controlled (78.72%) and is very rarely done with bucks of the same breed (14.89%). Most breeders (92.20%) largely neglect the health of their goats compared to sheep. Conclusion Finally, the Algerian goat seems to be largely neglected and considered as a secondary species associated with sheep. For this reason, it is mandatory to give more importance to this species. The Algerian government must carry out activities related to the conservation and improvement of breeding systems through the development of breeding programs and ensure the sustainable management of ecosystems used for food production.