Goats in arid areas and under harsh conditions : Contribution in rural development

Summary - Development of goats under arid areas and the conditions for their contribution in rural development are studied. The Animal Production Science has produced many references on the advantage of goats under arid climate. But in spite of local cases of success, goat Production systems are often limited by low productivity, limited forage resources and low training level of breeders. Examples of these systems in Cyprus, Tunisia, Morocco, Egypt, Spain, Argentine or Peru have confirmed the diversity of situations.
Being stated that the nature of public interventions would be decisive for the dynamics of goat projects. 3 types of interventions (liberal, global and local participatory) are developed. For each project a previous analysis of its specific advantages and limits for goats is recommended. Research action and participatory or co-operative methods are recommended for a better impact and success of rural development of dry zones and reduce the climatic uncertainty.

Key words : Research action; arid areas; extension; development; goat; production systems.

Jean-Paul Dubeuf