DETERMINANTS OF USING FORAGE RESOURCES IN BUFFALO BREEDING SYSTEM AT LAKE KERKINI, NORTHERN GREECE

摘要

Determinants of using forage resources (communal rangelands, temporary pastures, stubble fields and other crop residues) were examined in a buffalo breeding system at the area of Lake Kerkini in Serres, Northern Greece, during 2011.This particular area was selected as 2 492 buffaloes (80% of the whole country's buffalo population) are raised there. The research was conducted on thebasis of standardized questionnaires (processed by Pearson test) and in-depth interviews with all buffalo breedersThe communal rangelands are used by any breeder independent of particular features. Even the eldest breeders may continue to extensively use alternative to communal rangelands forage resources such as temporary pastures, stubble fields and other crop residues.Personal interest (0.437) appears to be a much stronger motive for more extensive use of temporary pastures. Experience of buffalo breeders (0.518) lays emphasis on the usage of financially safe practices such as stubble fields and other crop residues.Exercising buffalo breeding as complementary -not main- occupation (-0.493) seems to encourage developing temporary pastures, while family holdings with long tradition (-0.594) and many family or non family employees (-0.418 and -0.433, respectively) tend to avoid extensive use of temporary pastures. Keeping big-sized buffalo herds does not necessarily mean more extensive use of alternative forage resources.The diversification of economic activities encourages (0.404) the extensive use of temporary pastures. Critical comments and issues for further research are proposed.