Animal Production Systems

Abstract

Remarkably few animal species are used agriculturally, although many more, such as pests and disease organisms, are of agricultural importance. Those that give rise to products of major importance are listed in Table 12.1. Many of them also produce valuable by-products such as offals, bone meal, dung (used for fuel and the construction of huts), hair, feathers and glue; and some of them are also used for transport and traction. In many parts of the world, animals are still the main source of power for irrigation, cultivation, milling and transport of people and materials. Animals are also employed for a great variety of purposes, such as guarding and herding, that are less directly connected with a production process.