PROFITABILITY OF THE SHEEP PRODUCTION SYSTEM IN THE BAJO MIXE, OAXACA, MEXICO

Abstract

Research on productive systems in small herds is scarce and it is convenient to characterize these systems to identify areas of potential improvement. The objective of this study was to characterize the productive structure, and perform an economic analysis, of the ovine production system in the Bajo Mixe region, in the municipality of San Juan Cotzocon Mixe, Oaxaca. Twenty sheep farmers in three communities, nine in Arroyo Peña Amarilla, six in El Porvenir and five in La Libertad, participated in a survey that included the diagnosis of the sociocultural and economic status of the sheep farmer, and various technical activities. The production system is that known as “backyard” or subsistence. The farmers have small grazing herds, labor and scarce agricultural land. The production process is simple and focuses on self-consumption. The farmer has an average of 5.68 years of experience; he owns 10.65 sheep that feed on pastures of 1 ha, with an average stoking rate of 10.65 sheep ha?1 . The facilities are rustic, reproduction is not planned, the supplement is deficient, sanitary control is rudimentary and strategic health programs are limited. In the region, the “criollo” sheep have on average life of 3.88 years. The magnitude of the investment, the production costs, and the scarce sales prevent obtaining enough income to cover the costs. To achieve equilibrium it is required to produce 23.1 lambs, which is more than double the average inventory. This fact points to the impossibility of obtaining economic profits in the traditional system. The sheep activity in the region of the Bajo Mixe, maintains low levels of development, productivity and technological adoption. Therefore, the size of the flocks should increase, participation in government support programs should be promoted and each community be organized, in order to obtain scaled benefits.