The opportunities for livestock development in the hills and highlands of Montenegro

Abstract

Agriculture is one of the crucial development areas and, together with tourism, it presents the top priority for the economic development of Montenegro. The most important branch of agriculture is livestock raising. Livestock development is particularly crucial because the rearing of ruminants (cattle, sheep, goats) utilizes the less productive land lots (pastures, meadows) which present over 80% of the total agricultural land in Montenegro. In terms of the size and value of production, the most important area of livestock development is cattle raising. A significant place is also held by sheep - raising, especially in the context of unpolluted pastures which represent favorable conditions for the production of biologically valuable food. In terms of the ratio of primary production, livestock raising participates with 64,4%, and fish and bees are added to this calculation the percentage is 65%. The analytical data for 1995-2001 demonstrates that there is a growth of 3-4%in the cattle-raising industry whereas sheep-raising has demonstrated a fall since 1998. Out of the total number of cattle and sheep 99% is in private ownership, and only 1% is in public ownership. The production of cow s milk recorded a growth, whereas the production of sheep milk has been fluctuating. There is recorded growth in beef production of 3-4%, where as there is a noted fall in the production of mutton. The local milk production secures 88% of the total consumption whereas the production of meat (the consumption is 45,1 kg per capitas) secures only 61% of total consuotion. The production of poultry and pork covers only 40% of consumption. This paper also gives an overview of the consumption of mutton and how this relates to figures of local production for the period 2001.- 2002. For successful livestock development in the hills and highlands of Montenegro, apart from measures taken to improve the genetic base, it is necessary to undertake measures to improve animal diets health protection and healthcare as well as the application of newer biotechnologies.