Sustainability of Small Ruminant Production in Mediterranean Region

Abstract

The Mediterranean region is characterized by hot and humid summers and, humid and cool winters. Small ruminants (sheep and goats) play a significant economic, social and environmental role providing income and ensuring food for local population. Despite their critical importance, small ruminant’s production is threatened by several factor notably climatic, nutritional, healthy and breeding systems. To ensure a sustainability of goat and sheep production, these last decades, several studies have been achieved in order to improve livestock feeding and breeding systems and animal health protection. However, sheep and goat sectors show an important delay. In order to increase the profitability and ensure sustainability of small ruminant production, innovative political, specific managerial strategies and practices have to develop.