Avian flu is sweeping Asia, beginning to enter Europe, and is expected soon to arrive in Africa. A key public health measure is to get rid of flocks of poultry that have been infected. The impact of such measures may be severe.
Poor farmers in many countries depend on their flocks of chickens or ducks for protein and for income. People who could not afford to keep cattle, or even sheep or goats, keep a few birds. What are they going to do if that is no longer possible?
Some years ago, the National Academy of Sciences published a monograph titled "Microlivestock - Little-Known Small Animals with a Promising Economic Future". It discussed microbreeds of goats, sheep and pigs but it also focused on rabbits, rodents, and lizards as potential microlivestock. It may be time to consider large scale programs to introduce such animals in place of poultry.
One project that comes to mind is Heifer International. Among its efforts are rabbit projects, that introduce rabbit culture into developing nations.
Are there any other good projects out there that promote microlivestock. Comments would be most welcome!
Thursday, October 20, 2005
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