Impact Of The Regression Of Rangelands On The Evolution Of Breeding Systems In Northwest Tunisia

Abstract

The pastures of north-western Tunisia have undergone several changes in recent decades. The main results are the decrease of the rangelands, the increase of the total animal load, the increase of the cultivated lands, the increase of the production costs in particular the purchase of concentrated feeds and the low subsidies of the State. All these factors lead to a change in the breeding system, mainly dairy cattle in the Sejnane region. A prerequisite is the characterisation of the diversity of livestock activities in terms of grazing and production. Four types could be characterised. Pastoralists are more vulnerable than agro-pastoralists.