Socio-Economic Characteristics of Small Ruminant Smallholders in Four District of Northern Egypt

Abstract

The study seeks to characterize socio-economic and farm characteristics of small ruminant smallholders in four districts of northern Egypt. Structured questionnaire was used for data collection from 60 small ruminants' farmers and analyzed with descriptive statistics. Findings show that the average age of respondents included in this study was about 46.6±13.6 years and across the four districts farmer age was not significantly different. The present results showed a high illiteracy rate (75%) among small ruminant farmers across the four districts. Majority (68.4%) of the respondents were identified themselves as full-time farmers, derived that household income from the sale of crops and/or animals only. However, the average household size was 6.2±2.2 persons and about 66.2% of household size are men. The results cleared a positive relationship between education level and access to off farm job. The average land holding per household in the study area is estimated as 6.6±3.3 acres. There is negative correlation between total land holding and herd size. Across the four districts, the data showed that the overall average of herd size consists of 68.1% sheep, 21.1% goats and 10.8% large ruminant. Suckling age represent larger proportion in the flock for sheep and goats, while breeding females is the second largest age group in the flock. On the other hand, lamb/kid is the lowest age groups in the flock which indicated that farmers are forced to rely early marketing of their lambs/kids. Thus, socio-economic and farm characteristics offer significant input in designing effective small ruminant programs.

Some demographic characteristics of farmers and their knowledge of the systems of raising and caring for meat animals in the New Valley governorate, Egypt

“…In addition, Abd El-Ati et al (2019) reported that in New Valley governorate, 61.4% of breeders have medium ages between 42 and 60 years, while the percent was 55.7% in Assiut governorate. This result is similar to the findings reported by Metawi et al (2019), who found that the average age of respondents included in their study in Damietta governorate was about 46.6±13.6 years, and about 95% of them were married. On the other hand, Lawal-Adebowale (2011) found that the average age of a farmer in Spain is 50.5 years.…”

“…The average Egyptian household size is 4.4 people, which is less than the current result, according to the CAPMAS data from 2011. According to Metawi (2011), the average family size in the north coastal zone's rain-fed and irrigated farming systems was 7.8 people and 5.7 people, respectively. In the former farmed regions of Sharkeia Governorate, 6.4 individuals made up the average family.…”

Antibacterial and Anti-Biofilm Activities of Cinnamon Oil against Multidrug-Resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae Isolated from Pneumonic Sheep and Goats

“…Small ruminants play a crucial role in the lives and economies of rural populations in Egypt, providing meat, milk, wool, and hair [ 30 ]. In this study, 200 animals, consisting of 141 sheep and 59 goats, presenting with respiratory distress symptoms, underwent clinical and bacteriological examination.…”

The effects of saline water consumption on sperm parameters, testicular histopathology, hormonal and antioxidants concentrations in Barki Rams

“…The reason for the emphasis is that small ruminants hold a unique position in smallholder agriculture due to their shorter production cycles, faster growth rates, ease of management, low investment capital, low risk of loss, low feed requirements, and greater adaptability to harsh environmental climates than large ruminants [ 9 , 10 ]. Unfortunately, little is known about small ruminant livestock production in Egypt’s rural areas [ 11 ]. A scarcity of food and water distinguishes deserts.…”