A strategy for the improvement of existing small ruminant production systems among small-scale farmers in the Commonwealth of Dominica

Abstract

The Dominican need for economic diversification takes on great urgency with the conclusion of an integrated market in the EEC in 1992, and the eventual removal of the preferential access and pricing system for Dominican bananas in the traditional United Kingdom market.

Given the desperate need for economic diversification in the Dominican economy this thesis will argue that small ruminant production systems are very well suited to limited resource groups and improvement can be accomplished through the use of practical and affordable technologies/methods. Through the utilization of a systems approach framework it will be shown that small ruminant production systems can be significantly improved among small-scale farmers in Dominica, thereby, increasing their incomes and in so doing improve the economic position of the rural economy, reduce the islands' dependence on food/meat imports and contribute towards the agricultural and economic diversification of the economy. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)