Developing a small ruminant industry in the Caribbean

Developing a small ruminant industry in the Caribbean

Editor

FAO ;

Descripción

Over the next few decades, a growing population, rising affluence and urbanization will significantly impact global food production. With average incomes set to increase, the demand for meat and meat products in particular is rising at a rapid rate, particularly in developing countries. Recent estimates by the Food and Agriculture Organization project an increase of 70% in meat consumption by the time the world’s population reaches 9.6 billion in 2050. The small ruminant industry is ideally plac ed for intensification and development. On the production side, sheep and goats are well suited to the wide range of both geophysical and socio-economic conditions commonly encountered in the region. Small ruminants are able to convert low quality forages and feeds into high quality products; are small in size; use minimal land space and require low capital investment per head, making them ideal livestock for resource poor Caribbean farmers.