Characterization of dairy goat production systems using autochthonous breeds in Andalusia (Southern Spain): Classification and efficiency comparative analysis

Abstract

The main characteristic of caprine production in southern Spain is its heterogeneity, which has prevented a proper classification of the different systems. This leads to lack of knowledge and difficulties in the decision-making processes and in the adoption of sectorial strategies. In this context, this article aimed to characterize and classify the different dairy goat systems using autochthonous breeds in Andalusia, according to their feed management practices and productivity. Based on this classification, this work intended to define the technical and economic characteristics of those dairy goat systems by analyzing their differences, performing a comparative analysis of their technical efficiency and assessing the current framework within which the activity takes place. For this purpose, twenty-one farms were monitored during 2018. The technical-economic information obtained allowed the performance of a Cluster Analysis to segregate different groups with common characteristics. Subsequently, an input-oriented Data Envelopment Analysis was also performed, followed by a Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) analysis. The work carried out made it possible to identify four well-defined dairy goat systems: Pastoral systems; Grazing systems with high feed supply; Indoor systems with associated crops; and Indoor systems without associated crops. They displayed significant differences from a technical-economic point of view, but not in terms of technical efficiency, which was not determined by the production system as such, but by the appropriate management practices implemented in each case. The SWOT analysis revealed the existence of many common elements together with important differences, which justified the use of a specific approach to the reality of each system.