Journal of Rangeland

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The basis of livestock husbandry in rural and nomadic society is based on the traditional method and exploitation of rangelands. Despite the great contribution of traditional livestock systems in the production of large part of country's needed milk and meat, they are in an instable condition to survive. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to analyze the sustainability level of traditional livestock husbandry among the farmers of Chelan-e Sofla village in Maragheh. The present study is a quantitative and purpose-based research which was conducted using structured questionnaires, interviews and participatory observations. Finally, the results were analyzed by using stability barometer model. The results showed that in terms of socio-economic sustainability, traditional animal husbandry put the Chelan-e Sofla villages in moderate class with average of 0.51 and 0.47, respectively, and in terms of environmental- technical sustainability, they are placed in unsustainable class with average of 0.39. Low economic efficiency, low level of rural rangelands due to degradation and widespread land use changes, rangelands to agricultural lands are important reason for the current unsustainable situation. Usage of pesticides in agricultural section and lack of attention to animal health and disease management has reduced the sustainability level of the village. Therefore, to increase the level of sustainability, there is an essential need to increase the knowledge and awareness of the farmers to increase productivity and change the system from traditional to semi-industrial animal husbandry systems.

Keywords: Traditional livestock farming, social sustainability, economic sustainability, environmental technical sustainability, Sustainability Barometer model.

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