**3.4 The role of the traditional small-scale dairy production sector and its effect on food security (using the strength, weakness, opportunity and threat (SWOT) analysis**

A research study [18] was conducted on the role of the small-scale dairy sector (SSDS) in Jordan as it affects food security. The study employed the use of a general survey questionnaire and a participatory rural appraisal survey (PRAS). In the results of the work, the dairy sector in Jordan was classified into small, medium and large scale farming. The small scale farm was graded to have the ownership of not more than 9 cows in order to make a positive impact on food security for the poor householders. In the area of feeding and nutrition, these householders (pastoralists) had the opportunity of using some of the harvested products from their farms for food supply for their families and sold the surplus for income. The PRAS was conducted among these pastoralists using the strength, weakness, opportunity and


*Impact of Beef and Milk Sourced from Cattle Production on Global Food Security DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.99322*


*Source: [18, 19].*

**Table 1.**

*Strength, weakness, opportunity and threat of the small-scale dairy sector.*

threat (SWOT) analysis. The observations made were outlined as strength, weakness, opportunity and threat as shown in the **Table 1**, which was however upgraded with findings from another similar research journal article [19].

The results summary was as follows:

The SSDS in Jordan was observed to positively impact food security for the poor householders. They consumed the milk produced from their cows and sold out the surplus milk as source of income.

The main strength observed from the SWOT analysis was that the householders were full-time pastoralists who practiced livestock keeping as their only source of livelihood. The major weakness was scarcity of feed or unavailability of feed resources which was due to water shortage or lack of rains. This in turn brought about increased feed prices, while the selling price of milk did not change, as this was dictated based on the selling price of the large scale dairy sector (LSDS). The greatest opportunity in the SSDS was that the farmers could obtain the training and awareness of technological inputs as regards their animals feeding requirements, milk handling processes, breeding and genetic resources information, disease control, post-harvest storage facilities and access to markets and marketing techniques, as well as policy support.

However, this was more applicable to the holders of exotic dairy cattle breeds. The threat faced was the high cost of milk production without the corresponding increase in their cattle meat and milk prices. It was reported [18] that prices of meat, milk and other products were dictated by the LSDS producers who received sufficient technology and policy support from the government. The government was found to focus more attention on the LSDS meat, milk holders since they were the main providers of meat and milk in the country.

In the concluding points on this research, it was stated that despite the threats and challenges faced by the SSDS producers, they could succeed by practicing the use of better genetic lactating dairy animals such as the exotic breeds of cattle, better animal feeding and milk processing techniques, better market access, by forming an association of SSDS farmers and by planting more fodder on-farm. These steps could assist the SSDS in Jordan to attain food security and poverty alleviation for the resource-poor farm holders.

In another research article, the outcomes of workshops conducted by the State of Palestine Ministry of Agriculture in partnership with FAO on the 28 January 2014 in Gaza, and on 12 February 2014 in Ramallah, the strength, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) analysis of the ruminant livestock sectors were outlined [19]. One component of the strength stated was that dairy cattle herding is a vital source of income and supports household food security. The weaknesses outlined included the fact that women were subjected to greater workload than the men. Other weaknesses were as follows: lack of training, extension services and farmer empowerment. In terms of policy and benefits, the weaknesses reported were the lack of the government's investment in major livestock infrastructures such as roads, water networks and electricity. One of the opportunities mentioned was the provision of support for local products production such as the cultivation of local fodder and hydroponic fodder. One of the threats outlined was the high potential of the State of Palestine livestock sector being affected by climate change and natural disasters such as storm, earthquake and drought.
