Pastoralisme de steppe en Algérie : Etude systémique et valorisation des ressources fourragères locales

Abstract

The Algerian steppe is the backbone of the pastoral activity. The sheep provides over 50% of red meat consumed locally; however, this grazed ecosystem it was for decades engaged in a process of degradation. The causes that are at the origin of degradation are primarily anthropogenic, but also edaphic and climatic. It appears at first and in all studies that steppic forage resources cover only one-quarter (1/4) the needs of animals. Space steppe and pastoral production continue to suffer the destructuring effects of the sheep meat market entirely free and speculative. This pressure has been appear by the massive use of barley and concentrates in animal feed. This practice is objectified by the reduction of the production process and profitability. In a second step, we examined aspects of animal production in its interaction with the environment. The methodology used is that of the systemic approach. This is the concept of culture system. This concept has enabled us to characterize the steppe farming systems which are three: - Livestock Merchant System: This system focuses on maximum animal in the herd (400 head or more), also called cash extensive system, farmers are better equipped to operate a permanent and intensive courses. Breeders merchants account for about 5% of the pastoral population. This system is totally market-oriented. - System of agro-pastoral farming: the operators of this system practiced in addition to extensive cereal farming. Herd size is reduced (less than 100 animals). They represent 25% of the population do not practice pastoral nomadism in bad years. - System of Breeder: characterized by a direct method of claim, is the system's oldest and most common on the steppe. The breeders of this system represent 70% of the pastoral herd size is between 100 and 400 heads. It is a system based on the steppe nomads and transhumance. Herd management is still relatively closed to archaic technicality. Once modeled, a particular interest was given to the center of fodder resources and food of different farming systems. It appears that in view of productivity, sheep farming is still extensive type regardless of the farming system. The use of critical path is only with a different intensity. The best courses are used by breeders who have more means, i-e those in the commercial farming system. It also appears that pastoral activity depends more on agriculture and forage production, itself extensive. The use of barley and concentrate becomes inevitable and widespread practice. The final objective was to propose an option or alternative technique to mitigate the negative effects of desertification and promote certain food resources previously unused or underused. Three species were chosen: the spineless cactus, Acacia cyanophylla and Atriplex halimus. These forages were characterized for their chemical composition, their nutritional intake and their digestibility in the animal. Energy values between 0.43 and 0.70 FU / kg DM (fodder unit/kg dry matter) and crude protein values ranging between 47.3 and 130 g NM / kg DM (nitrogenous matter/kg dry matter) of these foods are good alternative feed once reasoned strategies in pastoral food . It appears from our study that these non-conventional fodders complement each other in their specificities. Used alone or in combination, they can post a qualitative approach to satisfy, if not to keep animals for a long enough period when herbaceous plants are scarce.