Opportunities for Strategic Interventions in Livestock/Meat Production,Processing, and Marketing in the Gambia

摘要

Demand for meat and other livestock products in the Gambia exceeds domesticproduction capacity, and the gap continues to grow. Improving management and productivity in livestock sector is an important part of an overall food strategy for that country, and also holds significant implications for its environment. This report reviews the Gambia's livestock/meat sector and makes recommendations, emphasizing improvement of private sector marketing channels, which are essential to providing appropriate incentives to producers. Recommendations address the roles of both the private sector and the public sector (to provide TA, conduct applied research, and enact policies which promote efficiencies at all stages of the production and marketing system). Chapters cover: (1) a market overview and demand analysis, including examinations of domestic and export markets and demand for beef, mutton, and goat meat; (2) slaughtering operations and the manufacture of meat products, including discussions of health and quality standards; (3) the livestock marketing system; and (4) livestock production systems, including evaluations of three feeding alternative (confinement in a feedlot, supplemental feeding with irrigated pastures, and grass fattening on native pastures). Each of these four chapters includes strategic options/recommendations. A final chapter sets out specific, achievable goals for the year 20000 in four strategic areas: productivity; commercialization; meat quality and safety; and marketing (domestic and export). Includes a bibliography and a schedule of the personal interviews conducted.