Farmers Profile and Characterization of Sheep and Goat Dairy Chain in Northwestern Greece

Eleni C Pappa,Eleni Tsiplakou,Kyriaki Sotirakoglou,Marios Mataragas,Loulouda Bosnea,Athanasios C Pappas,Lynda Allouche,Efthymia Kondyli

doi:10.3390/su13020833

Eleni C Pappa, Eleni Tsiplakou + Show 6 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/su13020833

Copy DOI

Abstract

The aim of the present study, conducted under the ERA-NET ARIMNet2 Project (Agricultural Research in the Mediterranean Network), was to analyze the sheep and goat dairy sector and assess the quality and safety of milk at various stages of the dairy supply chain. The study took place in the north-west part of Greece; 52 farms, one milk collection center, and eight dairy processing companies participated. The results revealed that all farms had access to water and electricity, the majority of them had a license to operate, used non-organic milk, and employed family members. The price of milk was fairly unstable throughout the year. Two major dairy companies produced all year round while others seasonally. Products were sold in retail, wholesale, company-owned stores, and even by door-to-door delivery service. The analyzed milk samples were of good quality and safety. The strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analysis revealed the farmers’ determination to continue working in the sector despite milk prices and problems due to the shortage of cash. Local sheep and goat breeds may further be used due to the fact of their good adaptation to the environmental conditions. The future of the Greek dairy chain is promising despite high competition within and outside of the European Union.

Highlights

Sheep and goat farming plays an important economic, environmental, and social role in Mediterranean countries
86.54% of the farmers were addressed to the veterinarian; mastitis in animals was discovered by 73.08% of the farmers and all the farmers (100%) discarded the milk from animals in therapy from mastitis
The data from the present study demonstrate that the main strengths of the dairy sector were the desire of sheep and goat farmers to continue in the future their existence in the sector (58.82%) together with their willing to be engaged in a process that will allow them to sell their products at a higher prices and the existence of purebred animals of the local sheep (Katsika or Karamaniko and Kalaritiko) and the autochthonous goat breeds (Capra prisca) which are well adapted in the mountainous area of Ioannina region

Summary

Introduction

Sheep and goat farming plays an important economic, environmental, and social role in Mediterranean countries. Greece among other countries is characterized with a high proportion of mountainous areas; a high percentage of the utilized agricultural area is designated as less favored areas (LFAs) [1]. The quality of sheep and goat milk in terms of both nutritional properties and hygienic features can play an important role in payment schemes as well as in milk processing and the maturing profile of cheese [2,3]. Milk quality is affected by several parameters including but not limited to lactation stage, animal health, feeding practices, milking practices, hygiene of farms, and milk transportation [4,5,6,7]

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion