Abstract
This paper discusses the qualitative impact of a grazing/herding management program on the profitability of Small Ruminant (SR) herds near the protected area of the Royal Botanic Garden (RBG) in Tell Ar-Rumman, Jordan. As the ultimate goal of establishing a protected area is to rehabilitate and enhance vegetation cover in a sustainable manner, a unique program was set up to meet the needs of local herders and enable the RBG to pursue its biodiversity conservation goals. Financial data pertaining to five local herders were recorded using the accrual accounting system and analyzed for the years 2009 and 2010. Significant changes occurred in the productivity and profitability of the SR herds, with the herders’ net incomes increasing by 6% to 159% as a result of direct and indirect support provided by the RBG in 2010. The grazing/herding management program is not only improving the income of participating pastoralists, but is also contributing to the growth and conservation of vegetation and wildlife in Tell Ar-Rumman.
Highlights
Small Ruminant livestock (SR) refers to sheep and goats
Economic performance of SR production Small Ruminants are raised for different reasons
The results showed a fluctuation in herd size between −3% and 3%, except in the case of Herder 4 who owns a goat herd
Summary
Small Ruminant livestock (SR) refers to sheep and goats. In 2010, the Al-Balqa Governorate in Jordan hosted 7.8% of Jordan’s total population of SR (DOS, 2011), primarily produced under traditional systems characterized by inadequate feed and water supply, poor veterinarian services and weak management practices (Alassaf, 2012).The SR population in Jordan dropped from 7.1 million in 2008 to 5.9 million head in 2009 (DOS, 2011), due to limited grazing options and low rainfall. Small Ruminant livestock (SR) refers to sheep and goats. In 2010, the Al-Balqa Governorate in Jordan hosted 7.8% of Jordan’s total population of SR (DOS, 2011), primarily produced under traditional systems characterized by inadequate feed and water supply, poor veterinarian services and weak management practices (Alassaf, 2012). The SR population in Jordan dropped from 7.1 million in 2008 to 5.9 million head in 2009 (DOS, 2011), due to limited grazing options and low rainfall. Livestock owners generally have few resources to invest in technologies and other advanced equipment that would maximize herd productivity. There was a need to record and analyze herd management decisions in order to find ways to raise profitability. A rise in profitability would be a clear indicator of success. The tangible benefits are regular cash income, meat, milk and manure, and the intangible benefit is the role of SR as insurance in case of emergency (Kosgey et al, 2008)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 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.
