Dynamics of Goat Meat Production in Extensive Systems in Asia: Improvement of Productivity and Transformation of Livelihoods

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The principal objective in the improvement of agriculture for food production is to ensure efficient use of the natural resources (land, crops, animals and water) that match population and income growth and dietary changes. Population growth is currently placing great pressure on food supplies from overused existing arable land areas, forcing the need to look beyond to improving less favored areas (LFAs) like rain fed regions in a sustainable way. Among domestic animals in developing countries, goats are very valuable for multifunctional reasons. Increasing productivity from them is justified in the context of the diversity of goat genetic resources, dynamics of extensive and migratory systems, multifunctionality, and productivity improvements through research and development (R and D). Imperatives for successful pro-poor projects are realistic project design, prioritization of R and D, and predictable impacts to transform agricultural growth. Goat meat is sought after for its high lean meat content and inadequate supply has pushed high prices in most countries. The unique biological and socio-economic attributes of goats in farming systems are described, including contributions to nutrition and food security, stability of farm households and survival of the poor. Discussion focuses on characteristics of extensive systems, distribution across agro-ecological zones (AEZs), feeding behavior and digestive efficiency, types of markets (assembling, distribution, ,weekly and rural), marketing systems, market players, transportation of live animals for slaughter, value chains, socio-economic implications and major constraints. Rural markets are an Asian concept and serve numerous functions. Current R and D is discipline – oriented, but need to shift to more assertive community-based pathways involving small farmers, the landless, researchers and extension personnel. The presence of large concentrations of goats and sheep in less favored areas (LFAs) provides an entry point for transforming agriculture and the utilization of welladapted indigenous breeds in crop-animal systems. Empowering the knowledge base is a priority, to enrich small and commercial farmers alike. An overriding challenge is to define a policy framework that promotes greater institutional involvement, systems approaches to improved understanding of rain fed agriculture, capacity to cope with climate change and stratification of production options. The latter includes breeding increased goat numbers, intensive utilization of available forage biomass and crop residues in situ, development of intensive zero grazing systems, and integrated resource utilisation. The sustainability of the natural environment is important, as it influences the entire basis for food production. Priority setting is essential to demonstrate technology application to transform agriculture. Increased investments increases agricultural productivity, but agricultural development and goat production is hampered by the lack of investments and climate change, and it is doubtful if yield increase can be achieved. Major challenges exist for improved land use, management of production and consumption, environmental degradation and water scarcity. Despite this gloom, for, enduring hope of several millions of the poor and the landless, the enduring hope remains - sustained food supplies from animal-agriculture through efficiencyenhancing technologies, access to food for all, in which self-reliance and vision needs to lead the way.