Livestock Sector's Economic Significance and Livelihood Support in Afghanistan: A Focus on Small Ruminants

##plugins.themes.academic_pro.article.main##

Sher Ali Jawhar
Cam Mehmet Akif
Emal Habibi
Omer Faruk Yilmaza

Abstract

Afghanistan predominantly an agrarian nation with a significant rural population, relies heavily on livestock for various purposes. Despite its pivotal role in the country's economy and the sustenance of rural communities, the livestock sector, particularly small ruminants like sheep and goats, often lacks the attention it deserves. This review seeks to evaluate the economic importance of small ruminants and address the challenges faced by livestock farmers, including insufficient pastures, imbalanced nutrition, and limited access to clean water. The analysis encompasses the contribution of small ruminants to the national economy, their impact on rural livelihoods, and the impediments encountered by small-scale farmers. Additionally, the study delves into the intricacies of production systems, market dynamics, and value chains associated with small ruminants, highlighting their role in income generation, employment, and food security. Exploring socio-cultural dimensions, the paper acknowledges the significance of small ruminants in traditional practices and social norms. However, it also underscores challenges in animal health, breeding, feeding, marketing, and infrastructure that hinder the sector's growth. The review underscores the necessity for targeted interventions, including improved veterinary services, enhanced extension support, better market linkages, and policy reforms, to fortify the small ruminant sector. By offering recommendations, the paper aims to guide policymakers, researchers, and practitioners toward fostering sustainable development and inclusive expansion of the small ruminant sector, ultimately uplifting the livelihoods of Afghanistan's small-scale livestock farmers.

Keywords

Small ruminants, Livestock sector, Economic significance, Livelihood support

##plugins.themes.academic_pro.article.details##

How to Cite
Jawhar, S. A., Akif , C. M., Habibi , E. ., & Yilmaza , O. F. (2024). Livestock Sector’s Economic Significance and Livelihood Support in Afghanistan: A Focus on Small Ruminants. Nangarhar University International Journal of Biosciences, 3(02), 23–30. https://doi.org/10.70436/nuijb.v3i02.317

References

  1. Bai, Zhaohai., Wenqi Ma., Lin Ma, Gerard L., Velthof, Zhibiao Wei., Petr Havlík., Oene Oenema, Michael RF Lee., & Fusuo, Zhang. (2018). China’s livestock transition: Driving forces, impacts, and consequences. Science advances, 4(7), 8534.
  2. Bartels, Chris JM., Qader Fakhri, A., Hamed Shams, M., Briscoe, Raymond P., & Schreuder, Bram EC. (2017). Livestock mortality and offtake in sheep and goat flocks of livestock owners making use of services offered by paravets in West Afghanistan. Preventive veterinary medicine, 146, 79-85.
  3. Bates, Peter George. (2012). External parasites of small ruminants a practical guide to their prevention and control. CABI, 6-5.
  4. Deshpande, V., & Ve Josi, B.S., (1999). Livestock Development in Maharashtra Vision 2000, 51st All India (Regional) Livestock and Poultry Show. Souvenir, Dept, Of Animal Husbandry, Maharashtra State, 34.
  5. Diao, Xinshen., Peter BR, Hazell., Danielle, Resnick., & James, Thurlow. (2007). the role of agriculture in development: Implications for Sub-Saharan Africa, 153, 37-38.
  6. Escareño, Luis., Homero, Salinas-González., Maria, Wurzinger., Luiz, Iñiguez., Johann, Sölkner., & Cesar, Meza-Herrera. (2012). Dairy goat production systems: status quo, perspectives and challenges, Tropical animal health and production, 45, 17-34.
  7. Food, FAO. (2016).The state of food and agriculture, Climate change, agri,78.
  8. Farris, M. (2003). Ethnic Holidays Best Opportunity to Market Goats, Goat Rancher Feb, 10–13.
  9. Graham, T. W. (2011). Rebuilding Post Conflict Food Security in Liberia, Prehospital and Disaster Medicine, 26(1), 96-97.
  10. Kawęcka, Aldona., & Jędrzej, Krupiński. (2014). Sheep in the Polish Carpathians, Genetic resources conservation of the Podhale Zackel and Coloured Mountain sheep, Geomatics, Landmanagement and Landscape, 1, 35-45.
  11. Kawęcka, Aldona., Marta, Pasternak., Danuta, Słoniewska., Anna, Miksza-Cybulska., & Emilia ,Bagnicka. (2020). Quality of mountain sheep milk used for the production of traditional cheeses, Annals of animal science, 20(1), 299-314.
  12. Kawęcka, A., Pasternak, M., Słoniewska, D., Miksza-Cybulska, A., Bagnicka, E. (2020). Quality of Mountain Sheep Milk Used For the Production of Traditional Cheeses, Ann. Anim. Sci, 1, 299–314.
  13. Khaliq, Ahmad Jawid Abdul., & İsmet, Boz. (2018). The role of agriculture in the economy of Afghanistan, In 2nd International Conference on Food and Agricultural Economics, 192-198.
  14. Donázar, JoséA., & Carmelo, Fernández. (1990). Population trends of the Griffon Vulture Gyps fulvus in northern Spain between 1969 and 1989 in relation to conservation measures, Biological Conservation, 53(2), 83-91.
  15. Rashiq, M. H. (2004). Afghanistan Sheep and Goat Management,48-59.
  16. Rushton, Jonathan. The economics of animal health and production. Cabi, 2009.
  17. Sikora, Jacek., Aldona, Kawęcka., Marta, Pasternak., & Michał, Puchała. (2016). Dynamics of Breeding Native Breeds of Sheep in Poland, 44.
  18. Srinivas, Tavva., Aden, Aw-Hassan, Barbara, Rischkowsky., Markos, Tibbo., Javed, Rizvi., & Abdul Halim, Naseri. (2014). Factors affecting the goat producer’s choice of market place and marketing efficiency in Afghanistan, Indian Journal of Animal Sciences, 84(12), 1309-1314.
  19. Tavva, Srinivas., Aden, Aw-Hassan., Javed, Rizvi., & Yashpal, Singh Saharawat. (2016). Determinants of market value of goats in Afghanistan, Indian Journal of Animal Sciences, 86(9), 1068-1072.
  20. Zafar, Mustafa. (2005). First draft country report on the status and perspectives of the animal genetic resources development and conservation in Islamic Republic of Afghanistan,Kab, FAO, 12-14.
  21. I-Dairy Industry Development, 11- Fishery Development Program And III- Small Ruminant Development Program In All Provinces Of Afghanistan,2020
  22. Ates, S., Hassan, S., Soofizada, Q., Biradar, C., Esmati, H., & Louhaichi, M. (2018). The status of forage production in Afghanistan. Internatonal Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA): Amman, Jordan.