Abstract
Abstract The study aimed to identify the goat milk value chain for the benefit of producers in a desert rangeland of Mexico. Using retrospective analysis, we characterized goat milk and cheese production and commercialization and profitability at the community and regional levels. What should be done for a cooperative with all stakeholders, using strategic management methodologies is determined. Goat husbandry had an explosive growth in the second third of last century, but disorganized growth deteriorated the rangelands and the activity is declining. Milk productivity has declined up to seven times in some regions compared with the 1960s. It is still the main source of earned income in the region but disorganization persists in all aspects from production to commercialization, and the common use of the rangelands. Producers are depleting their natural resources due to low incomes. Milking and cheese production are unhygienic, uncomfortable and too time consuming, while commercialization is informal. The vision and mission show a group that wants to succeed through profitable and sustainable commercialization. Milk production potential should be increased through better use of natural resources and optimization of the herd’s general management. Organization for the use of the rangelands, standardized small-scale processing, commercialization and technology transfer is the hope for sustainable rural development in this region. The high fat content of the goat milk in the region should increase its price.
Highlights
The main economic activity of the pastoral people of San Luis Potosi highlands (SLPH) is grazing animals, complemented with rainfed agriculture and the gathering of diverse plant materials (Haenlein 1998)
In an effort to understand the origin of the present situation, its tendencies and causes, the objectives of this study were 1) to review the background of goat husbandry focusing on the milk production part of the system in the San Luis Potosí highlands, 2) to characterize aspects of the milk value chain from production to commercialization so as to understand the present situation, and 3), using strategic management methodologies normally used in business, to determine the steps required to help link the producers to markets and improve their livelihoods
Work at the community in general aims to research all aspects leading to better production and commercialization; currently, goat feeding, sanitary, and other management aspects are being studied, but this paper focuses on those aspects more directly involved in improving commercialization
Summary
The main economic activity of the pastoral people of San Luis Potosi highlands (SLPH) is grazing animals (goats), complemented with rainfed agriculture and the gathering of diverse plant materials (Haenlein 1998). In many dry areas of Mexico, goat husbandry is the main economic activity. Most of the 9,000,000 goats in Mexico are managed as a family activity It was calculated in 1991 that 320,000 families or rural units depend on goat husbandry as their main form of livelihood (INEGI, 2005). With a national average of 32 goats per rural unit, around 22,000 families in the SLPH depend on goat husbandry (INEGI, 2005). From 1994 to 2004 the number of head in the main part of the SLPH decreased by 68% compared with a national reduction of 10%, while in the world as a whole it increased by 21%
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
