Sources of technical efficiency of sheep production systems in dry areas in Syria

A random sample of sheep producers in the dry areas of Syria were surveyed in 2002. Based on sheep movement, four production systems were identified; migratory, transhumance, semi-sedentary and sedentary. The survey data was analyzed using a single-stage model for estimating the technical inefficiencies of each production and its determinants. Technical efficiency ranges from 0.67 to 0.97, with considerable variation within each of the four production systems. The sedentary production system was the most efficient, and the migratory system the least efficient. The major factors causing inefficiencies included high abortion rate, low fertility, high lamb mortality, and long distances to markets and water sources. Improving the physiological conditions of the sheep and selecting the appropriate system of sheep production according to the location of the farm would improve efficiency of the sheep production substantially. Efficiency of sheep production in Syria can be improved by encouraging producers to shift to more intensive systems. As production and market conditions are fairly stable in Syria, the results and their implications are still valid. © 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

Historical and current perspectives of AKST

In McIntyre, B. D.; Herren, H. R.; Wakhungu, J.; Watson, R. T. (Eds.). Agriculture at a crossroads: IAASTD-CWANA report. Vol.1. Washington, DC, USA: Island Pres

Agriculture à la croisée des chemins

International audienc

An integrated agro-ecosystem and livelihood systems approach for the poor and vulnerable in dry areas

More than 400 million people in the developing world depend on dryland agriculture for their livelihoods. Dryland agriculture involves a complex combination of productive components: staple crops, vegetables, livestock, trees and fish interacting principally with rangeland, cultivated areas and watercourses. Managing risk and enhancing productivity through diversification and sustainable intensification is critical to securing and improving rural livelihoods. The main biophysical constraints are natural resource limitations and degradation, particularly water scarcity and encroaching desertification. Social and economic limitations, such as poor access to markets and inputs, weak governance and lack of information about alternative production technologies also limit the options available to farmers. Past efforts to address these constraints by focusing on individual components have either not been successful or are now facing a declining rate of impact, indicating the need for new integrated approaches to research for development of dryland systems. This article outlines the characteristics of such an approach, integrating agro-ecosystem and livelihoods approaches and presents a range of empirical examples of its application in dryland contexts. The authors draw attention to new insights about the design of research required to accelerate impact by integrating across disciplines and scales