Goat Production Systems in the Mediterranean

This publication is the result of the findings of a Working Group on Goat Production, jointly developed by FAO (Regional Office for Europe and the Near East), CIHEAM and EAAP, which brought together both teams of scientists and individuals working on goat production. This book addresses the interface between the technical aspects of goat production in the Mediterranean and the themes relating to human sciences and the environment. The purpose of the work is to cover some of the methodological aspects, to describe goat production systems in the Mediterranean countries and make a comparative study of the country features, while emphasizing their diversity. This work should make students and professionals aware of the importance of goats in the Mediterranean region and of their potential future value, provided there is a will to adapt goat production systems to newly-evolving social and economic conditions. A number of fundamental issues concerning goat production systems are addressed.