Family Farming Knowledge Platform

Sheep and Goats in Fiji and Papua New Guinea

A Success Story

Humans domesticated sheep and goat thousands of years before the cow. Initially sheep and goat were the livelihood source mainly for meat, milk and skin and now commercial production is order of the day. Global production of sheep meat is 9 million tons and developing countries are at the top of the list. Consumption of sheep meat is in fourth position after pork, poultry, and beef meat. Dairy products from sheep and goats is about 21 per cent and they make up to 1.3 per cent and 1.9 per cent of total milk production in the world, respectively. Traditionally known health benefits of consuming goat and sheep milk is established scientifically as well. The Asia Pacific region has over 50 per cent of 1.27 billion goats in the world. China, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Mongolia have major goat population in Asia, while in case of sheep China, India, Iran, Mongolia and Turkey dominate. In Oceania, Australia, Fiji, New Zealand, Vanuatu and French Polynesia had the most population of goats. Among the Pacific countries, Australia and New Zealand dominate and there are recent developments in Fiji and PNG. Fiji is also progressing in commercial production of sheep and goat, while PNG it is mainly for livelihood. Success stories are published and circulated by the Asia-Pacific Association of Agricultural Research Institutions (APAARI) to inspire and guide the member countries to learn from the practical experiences within the region. I am happy that APAARI could motivate to build a success story on sheep and goat in Fiji and PNG. This success story is by product of the Regional Workshop on Underutilized Animal Genetic Resources and their Amelioration organized by the APAARI in Kula Lumpur, Malaysia.

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Publisher: Asia-Pacific Association of Agricultural Research Institutions (APAAri)
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Author: Alan Quartermain and Vinesh Kumar
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Organization: Asia-Pacific Association of Agricultural Research Institutions (APAAri)
Other organizations: APCOAB
Year: 2021
ISBN: 978-81-85992-12-9
Country/ies: Fiji, Papua New Guinea
Geographical coverage: Asia and the Pacific
Type: Report
Content language: English
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