From analyzing practices to designing an evolution model for animal husbandry systems : application to the Nordeste region of Brazil

Abstract

A methodological approach based on the analysis of livestock farmers’ practices was used to understand the regional evolution of animal husbandry systems. The concept framework is presented in the first part. The methodology used to concretize this approach is described in the second part. It is illustrated in the third part by the case-study of a livestock farmer’s practices in the Nordeste region of Brazil. Finally, to develop this approach the authors proposed and discussed an evolution model for animal husbandry systems in the area, designed on the basis of a comparative analysis of the farmers’ practices and strategies. Identification and interpretation of change required the explicit analysis of local as well as global processes, and the integration of time-scales. To do so, special attention was paid to territorial management practices of the animal husbandry systems. They helped specify the influence of space and integrate spatial scales in the analysis, which were meaningful with regard to change. Based on an analysis of the practices, identification of evolution factors and modes of livestock farming lay in a modeling process, whose results are discussed.