Brazil’s northeast region to expand goat and sheep breeding
The local government in Brazil’s northeast is working on a programme to expand goat and sheep breeding in order to satisfy the current growing demand for goat and lamb meat. According to Ricardo Falcão, president of the Sectoral Chamber for the Goat and Sheep Productive Chain,
The north-eastern region of the country accounts for 94% of the Brazilian goat herd and 53% of the sheep flock, but breeding programmes are carried out in the most basic way possible. In this region, small animal breeding is the main economic activity, but according to Mr. Falcão, production has been stagnating for the last twenty years. "We must organise the whole productive chain so that growth may be implemented according to specific standards.” He added that incentives must be offered to potential new breeders so that they do not give up half-way. The small number of slaughterhouses specialised in goat and sheep processing in the area is also a concern and it is hoped that more facilities will be set up as part of the programme.
Raimundo Nonato Braga Lobo, managing secretary of the Chamber, stated that if breeders look after their animals' health and feed them in a suitable manner, this would enable the country to see a real expansion in this sector and, at the same time, a good commercial herd/flock would be developed.
