CHARACTERIZATION OF SUBSISTENCE OVINOCULTURE: THE CASE OF THREE COMMUNITIES OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF TLAHUAPAN, PUEBLA, MEXICO

Abstract

Objective: to characterize family units of sheep production from three locations in the municipality of Santa Rita Tlahuapan, Puebla.

Design / methodology / approach: semi-structured interviews were conducted with 38 farmers. Variables of farmer’s profile, crop production and herd management were analyzed using descriptive statistics, cluster analysis and variance. Results: four groups of farmers were identified; most of them (92%) classified as small producers, with 24 to 36 sheep and little production of forage crops. The average farmer’s age was 55 years, with a family size of 4 members. Economic saving is the main objective of production and family labor is exclusively used in the activities. Animals are housed in rustic pens, without differentiating age, sex or physiological stage. Forage from pastures and growing areas is the main feed source; supplementing the majority (92%) with mineral blocks and common salt.

Limitations / Implications: lack of records and social mistrust to some degree to provide information.

Findings / conclusions: the productive units are of subsistence, where sheep farming is a secondary activity, with low productive parameters. The poor housing practices of animals, the scarcity of grazing land and nutritional stress were identified as the main factors that stagnate sheep farming in the study area.