Reaction of cattle farmers in Algerian semi-arid regions to economic and climatic constraints

Abstract

The recent socioeconomic changes in Algeria and the accentuation of the aridity of the local climate induce transformations in farming practices and strategies. This study analyses the adaptation strategies implemented by small family cattle farms in the Setif semi-arid region, to face economic uncertainties and environmental constraints. The approach used is the identification of evolution trajectories of cattle farms over a period of five years, between 2012 and 2017. The analysis shows that the farms have developed six types of adaptation trajectories to maintain their production and respond to external and internal pressures. There is a decrease in the size of the herd and in areas dedicated to cultivated fodder, as well as a reduction in the proportion of farms specialized in cattle and milk production. This study shows the importance of integrating the dynamics of livestock farming into regional agricultural development programs.