Impact of the regression of rangelands on the evolution of breeding systems in Northwest Tunisia

Abstract

The pastures of northwestern Tunisia have undergone several changes over the last decades. The main results are the decrease in rangelands, the increase in the total animal load, the increase in the cultivated land, the increase in the production costs particularly the purchase of concentrated feeds, and the low subsidies from the state. All these factors are changing the livestock system, mainly dairy cows. The present study, therefore, sought to characterize farm household systems that seem to be currently adapted in the Sejnane plain using a typology. We focus on understanding the variables that contribute to raising farmers' choice of breeding system in the study area. We interviewed 44 farmers. Furthermore, we analyzed their responses using descriptive statistics, ascending hierarchical classification AMP and principal components analysis PCA. The results show that four types of livestock systems could be characterized, depending on pasture and production. Moreover, they suggest that landless pastoralists are more vulnerable than agro-pastoralists.