SISTEMA DE PRODUCCION DE RUMIANTES MENORES EN COCHABAMBA - BOLIVIA PRODUCTION SYSTEM OF SMALL RUMINANTS IN COCHABAMBA - BOLIVIA

Abstract

The objective of the present study was to characterize the production system of sheep and goats in three communities in the south of the department of Cochabamba. Thirteen families were visited every two months from March 2010 to February 2011. Methods of direct observations and semi structured interviews were applied, collecting data about livestock numbers, use of products of small ruminants, infrastructure for livestock, management, animal nutrition, gender aspects in decision taking, uses and importance of sheep and goats. An analysis of variance was carried out about the effect of communities on livestock numbers. The families of the study own higher numbers of small ruminants in comparison with other species. Management is mainly the task of women with the help of their children. It's equally the women who take most decisions about activities related to small ruminants; men decide only about the acquisition of external inputs. Manure is the most important product; the abilities most appreciated are the use for saving and the resilience of animals. It is concluded that small ruminants play a very important role for smallholders.