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Mediterranean biodiversity as a tool for the sustainable development of the small ruminant sector: from traditional knowledge to innovation

(May 2012 – April 2015)

Overall budget: 147914 €

Christina LIGDA,

Hellenic Agricultural Organization, Veterinary Research Institute, Greece

ARIMNet & ARIMNet2 meeting – 14-16 March 2016, Lisbon, Portugal

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CONSORTIUM

ARIMNet & ARIMNet2 Meeting, 14-15 March 2016, Lisbon

• Partner 1 (Coordinator): Greece - Hellenic Agricultural Organisation • Veterinary Research Institute of Thessaloniki • Agricultural Economics and Research Institute, Athens

• Partner 2: France - Institute National de la Recherche Agronomique • SAD LRDE, Corte

• Partner 3: Cyprus - Agricultural Research Institute, Lefkosia • Partner 4: Morocco - Institute Agronomique et Vétérinaire Hassan II, Rabat • Cooperation of researchers of multiple disciplines: animal breeding and genetics, production systems, welfare and health issues and agricultural economics.

• Common analysis of contrasted case studies in EU and non-EU countries contributes to identify the dynamics of local breeds in the region

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PROJECT OBJECTIVES Diversity and sustainability of sheep and goat production systems, examining the components of the production systems the organization at territorial level the supply chain and the profile of sheep and goat farmers Management of local breeds and add-value strategies role and interactions of main stakeholders possible tensions and ways to facilitate cooperation and coordination Marketing decisions and stakeholders’ involvement explore the relationship between local breeds and market opportunities

ARIMNet & ARIMNet2 Meeting, 14-15 March 2016, Lisbon

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SCIENTIFIC APPROACH Production systems • Case study approach • Data on the production systems through personal interviews Examine the main challenges (environmental, economical, social) and values of the

production systems

Map of collective organization Analysis of territorial dynamics involving local breeds using a common grid

Supply chain analysis Determine factors contributing to production and marketing decisions by farmers.

Cross analysis of the four cases Examine the link between breed and product and diversity of stakes Organizational and social aspects Methodological framework

ARIMNet & ARIMNet2 Meeting, 14-15 March 2016, Lisbon

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STAKEHOLDERS’ INVOLVEMENT Communication with local stakeholders

Farmer interviews, regular contacts with stakeholders, i.e. cooperatives, managers of the selection schemes, inter-professional organizations

Small technical visits and meetings with stakeholders, local workshops and seminars

Final Seminar (Rabat,17 December 2014) Shared experience between research, development agencies, breeders associations

The interest for the local stakeholders is on the ways the practices are

connected at different levels to ensure coherence among the livestock farming systems, local resources (including the breed) and products’ selling processes

ARIMNet & ARIMNet2 Meeting, 14-15 March 2016, Lisbon

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ACHIEVEMENTS / INNOVATION -1 Main elements of the production systems Analysis of the data collected Criteria and indicators to assess the sustainability, and level of relevance Comprehensive list with explanatory columns (description, level of

relevance, variables)

ARIMNet & ARIMNet2 Meeting, 14-15 March 2016, Lisbon

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ACHIEVEMENTS / INNOVATION -1 Main elements of the production systems Analysis of the data collected Criteria and indicators to assess the sustainability, and level of relevance Comprehensive list with explanatory columns (description, level of

relevance, variables)

ARIMNet & ARIMNet2 Meeting, 14-15 March 2016, Lisbon

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ACHIEVEMENTS / INNOVATION -2 Value chain analysis (based on field and secondary data) Main actors, activities and interactions Review of assets Opportunities and constraint analysis Factors affecting farmers marketing decisions Determine farmer’s profile Using a probit model Identify constraints / suggest alternatives

To design development programs and policies to support their place in the market

ARIMNet & ARIMNet2 Meeting, 14-15 March 2016, Lisbon

Variable Description Dependent Specific marketing channel

Industry channel; 1 = Yes, 0 = No Small dairy; 1=Yes, 0=No

Independent Farmer characteristics

7 variables

Farm characteristics

6 variables

Market characteristics

11 variables

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ACHIEVEMENTS / INNOVATION -3 Analysis of territorial dynamics involving local breeds Type of collective action Initiatives and main stakeholders (diversity of stakes / potential tensions) Degree of formalization of the link (breed-product) Links between management of breeds and add value processes Methodological framework

Animal population dynamics Products Stakeholders

Social Organization (cross analysis of the cases) • Difficulties for the involvement of local stakeholders • Several stakeholders with diverse viewpoints • Influence of the collective organization • Size and number of structures involved

ARIMNet & ARIMNet2 Meeting, 14-15 March 2016, Lisbon

Animal population evolution Management of breed diversity Selection criteria, …. New expectancies for the breed

Level of formalization of the link, .. New stakeholders?

Links and tensions

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ACHIEVEMENTS / INNOVATION - 4 Regulatory Framework to establish and enforce coordination between local actors

Identify degrees of tensions up to

declared conflict People involved Object (breed, product, rule, …) Since when

Identify opportunities for resolve the tensions Do the people involved speak together ? Does exist an arena where such discussion

could be organized ?

Possibilities of mediation among actors Define the actors with such capacity Role of research (missing knowledge)

ARIMNet & ARIMNet2 Meeting, 14-15 March 2016, Lisbon

Selection practices

Are the quantity and quality of the product and regularity of production taken

into account in the selection criteria?

Reproduction management

Are constraints for selling animals taken into account?

Are lambing periods managed based on the time frame for selling products?

Illustration of the product packaging

Are animals present? Are these from local breeds?

Are these combined with other elements of the production system?

Selling process

Are local breeds highlighted in the

process?

Perceptions on local breeds

Are local breeds considered as : • positive influence on product quality

• key element of local heritage? • Key element of the production system?

Mediating role of local breeds / Light framework “checklist” of levels

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KEY PUBLICATIONS & PRODUCTS

ARIMNet & ARIMNet2 Meeting, 14-15 March 2016, Lisbon

Lauvie A., Hadjipavlou G., Araba A., Casabianca, F. Ligda, C., 2015. The interactions between product valorization and genetic management: applying a common framework to analyze four cases of sheep and goat locals breeds in the Mediterranean area, FAO-CIHEAM Sub-Networks on Production Systems and Nutrition on Sheep and Goats, Montpellier

Tzouramani I., Hadjipavlou G., Sossidou E., Ligda C., 2015. Assessing the main characteristics of sheep and goat milk production value chains at farmer level: Opportunities and Constraints. FAO-CIHEAM Sub-Networks on Production Systems and Nutrition on Sheep and Goats, Montpellier

Lauvie A., Paoli J.C., Moulin C.H., 2015. Managing local breeds: a dynamic connected to livestock farming systems that concerns different levels of organization. Animal Genetic Resources. doi: 10.1017/S2078633614000502

Araba A., Boughalmi A., 2015. Evaluation of the sustainability of the Moroccan sheep meat production systems by the IDEA method. Proceeding of the 66th Annual Meeting of the European Federation of Animal Science (EAAP), Warsaw, Poland

Paoli, J.C., Viollet, A., Santucci, P.M., Gambotti, J.Y., Lauvie, A., 2014. Towards a better understanding of adaptation of local breeds to livestock farming systems: an exploratory methodological proposal. Options Mediterraneennes. Serie A. 108, 501-505

Methodological Frameworks (applied: Participatory research and extension services, collective organozations, managers of projects,….)

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KEY PUBLICATIONS & PRODUCTS

ARIMNet & ARIMNet2 Meeting, 14-15 March 2016, Lisbon

Lauvie A., Hadjipavlou G., Araba A., Casabianca, F. Ligda, C., 2015. The interactions between product valorization and genetic management: applying a common framework to analyze four cases of sheep and goat locals breeds in the Mediterranean area, FAO-CIHEAM Sub-Networks on Production Systems and Nutrition on Sheep and Goats, Montpellier

Tzouramani I., Hadjipavlou G., Sossidou E., Ligda C., 2015. Assessing the main characteristics of sheep and goat milk production value chains at farmer level: Opportunities and Constraints. FAO-CIHEAM Sub-Networks on Production Systems and Nutrition on Sheep and Goats, Montpellier

Lauvie A., Paoli J.C., Moulin C.H., 2015. Managing local breeds: a dynamic connected to livestock farming systems that concerns different levels of organization. Animal Genetic Resources. doi: 10.1017/S2078633614000502

Araba A., Boughalmi A., 2015. Evaluation of the sustainability of the Moroccan sheep meat production systems by the IDEA method. Proceeding of the 66th Annual Meeting of the European Federation of Animal Science (EAAP), Warsaw, Poland

Paoli, J.C., Viollet, A., Santucci, P.M., Gambotti, J.Y., Lauvie, A., 2014. Towards a better understanding of adaptation of local breeds to livestock farming systems: an exploratory methodological proposal. Options Mediterraneennes. Serie A. 108, 501-505

Methodological Frameworks (applied: Participatory research and extension services, collective organozations, managers of projects,….)

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RESULTS’ VALORISATION & DISSEMINATION Final Seminar, Rabat 17 December 2014 Aim to stimulate the discussion on common problems and challenges and contribute to the

improvement of collaboration and networking Production system and management of resources Local breed supply chains and regional development Collective organization and interactions between stakeholders

Publications in scientific journals, Conferences and Workshops Contribution FAO Regional Workshop in the Near East and North Africa, 19 - 21 November

2012, Rabat Participation in ENPARD South Regional Seminar Brussels, October 2014

Communication to the general public Articles in journals addressed to general public Radio interviews, flyers, leaflets, posters Meetings with farmers, local authorities

Methodological Framework proposed Establish and reinforce coordination between local actors Mediating role of the breed

www.arim-domestic.net

ARIMNet & ARIMNet2 Meeting, 14-15 March 2016, Lisbon

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DIFFICULTIES FACED & WAYS TO OVERCOME THEM

Regular communication between partners through the whole project By e-mail and skype conference calls and Consortium meetings (4) Opportunity to meet in other events (i.e. EAAP conference, FAO Workshop) during the

reported period

Some delays in the start of the project

The differences in the production systems and organization in the different countries (difficult to agree in a common structure of the questionnaire)

Some practical issues (easily solved)

Level of interaction between the partners could be enhanced Short visits in partner institutes Young researchers, PhD students involved in common field work

ARIMNet & ARIMNet2 Meeting, 14-15 March 2016, Lisbon

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NEXT STEPS Join actions In process papers to be submitted in scientific journals PhD thesis (SUPAGRO-UMR SELMET, INRA-LRDE and H.A.O.- VRI ) . New research project proposal To incorporate project’s outcomes into development actions in benefit of local

breeds Support initiatives of local stakeholders, and seek funding to continue relevant

actions

Information Communication Platform – www.arim-domestic.net Possibilities to be used as a communication tool within the Mediterranean region

for local breeds

Understanding livestock populations’ management practices Methodology to understand genetic management practices and links between

breeds, farming systems and products

ARIMNet & ARIMNet2 Meeting, 14-15 March 2016, Lisbon

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Partners - Research team Hellenic Agricultural Organisation-DEMETER (NAGREF )

Veterinary Research Institute of Thessaloniki Ch. Ligda, E. Sossidou

Agricultural Economics Research Institute, Athens I. Tzouramani

INRA, SAD LRDE, Corte A. Lauvie, F. Casabianca, J.C. Paoli

Agricultural Research Institute, Lefkosia G. Hadjipavlou, G. Adamides, A. Stylianou

Institut Agronomique et Vétérinaire Hassan II, Rabat A. Araba, A. Boughalmi

Farmers participating in the survey All contributors at local level

17 Thank you for your attention!