Thesis (Ph.D.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Agriculture - Department of Animal Production

This thesis includes four parts to characterize Buffalo milk and veal chains at different chain levels, the objectives of the first part were to identify the diversity of different chains and more deeply to determine main actors along the milk value chains in three villages to understand how these chains work. Also, milk analysis was applied to study the effect of location on milk composition, milk urea nitrogen (MUN) and somatic cell count (SCC). Field visits and interview are used to collect data. Milk samples were collected from farmers through 2013/14. Results indicated that there were a short chain and a long chain. Short chain achieved higher profit for farmers and reasonable price for consumers compared to long chain.While long chain provides a lot of jobs. MUN, SCC and milk composition could be used as diagnostic tools for different regions to identify the most priority services and extension needs at village level.The aim of the 2nd part was to suggest a methodology to characterize the diversity of dairy farming systems in Egypt to understand the traditional dairy sector. Data were collected from 65 farmers in three villages through three consecutive seasons. Based on multiple factorial and cluster analyses, six farmers{u2019} group were identified. Milk production was a major activity in very small land farms, the sustainability of this sector facing the lack of technical support and lack of pricing system for milk and feedstuffs, more governmental and NGOs projects needed to supply farmers with high quality forage seeds, high producing animals and veterinary services. So, considering the diversity of farming systems, one agricultural policy will not fit all farmers{u2019} categories taking into account the region and the season

Issued also as CD