Small ruminant value chain in Al-Ruwaished District, Jordan

doi:10.1016/j.regsus.2023.11.006

Abstract

Abstract:

This study aims to assess the small ruminant value chain in Al-Ruwaished District, Jordan, to identify the potential intervention areas that could improve the production efficiency and guarantee the sustainability of the small ruminant sector in this area. Sheep breeding is the source of livelihood for most of the people in Al-Ruwaished District, which is characterized by the large number of sheep and goats. We surveyed 5.0% of the small ruminant holders in the study area and conducted individual interviews and surveys with the potential actors in the value chain to undertake a small ruminant value chain analysis. From the survey, we found that the small ruminant value chain consists of five core functions, namely, input supply, production management, marketing, processing, and consumption. Despite the stable impression given by the large number of holdings in the small ruminant sector, the surveyed results show a clear fragility in the value chain of small ruminants in this area. The small ruminant production system is negatively impacted by climate change, especially continuous drought. In addition, the high prices of feed that the farmer cannot afford with clear and real absence of the governmental and non-governmental support activities also impact the development of the value chain. The results of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analysis reveal that the major constraints faced by this value chain could be divided into external and internal threats. Specifically, the most prominent external threats are the nature of the desert land and continuous drought, while the major internal threats are the absence of appropriate infrastructure, shortage of inputs, and weakness in the production management and marketing. We proposed solutions to these challenges to ensure the sustainability and effectiveness of the sector, such as the formulation of emergency response plans to severe weather, qualifying farmers’ skills, and establishment of agricultural cooperative societies.

Key words: Value chain analysis, Small ruminants, Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analysis, Climate change, Livestock production management, Jordan

Rula AWAD, Hosam TITI, Aziza MOHAMED-BRAHMI, Mohamed JAOUAD, Aziza GASMI-BOUBAKER. Small ruminant value chain in Al-Ruwaished District, Jordan[J]. Regional Sustainability, 2023, 4(4): 416-424.

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SWOT category	SWOT factor
Strengths	S1: Large holding of breeders
	S2: Absence of local competition from other livestock and imported small ruminants
	S3: Market availability of small ruminants’ products
	S4: Ensuring the sustainability of small ruminant sector, as the only source of the livelihood for farmers
	S5: Working with full family teamwork
Weaknesses	W1: Shortage of inputs and weakness in the production management and marketing
	W2: Low education level of farmers who feed sheep and goats
	W3: Absence of appropriate infrastructure
	W4: Lack of access to credits
	W5: Weakness in government services and absence of non-government services
Opportunities	O1: Increasing demand for dairy products from small ruminant in light of high prices of manufactured dairy products
	Q2: Using small ruminants as a tool for poverty alleviation
	Q3: Organizing the marketing of small ruminants’ products
	Q4: Exploitation of the abundant production of sheep and utilization of brand system
	Q5: Self-employment and entrepreneurship development
Threats	T1: Harsh geographical and environmental conditions
	T2: Impact of climate change
	T3: Unexpected rising in input costs
	T4: Political situation of neighboring countries
	T5: Lack of qualified resources
	T6: Unfavorable government policy