SHEEP DAIRYING: AN EMPLOYMENT AND REVENUE GENERATING OPPORTUNITY FOR RURAL AREAS

THIS PROJECT WILL INVESTIGATE THE FEASIBILITY OF DEVELOPING SHEEP DAIRYING AS AN EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY FOR RURAL AREAS, AND AS AN ALTERNATIVE REVENUE GENERATING OPTION FOR SMALL COW FARMERS BESET BY DETERIORATING INDUSTRY ECONOMICS. THE PROPOSED FEASIBILITY STUDY EMBRACES THREE AREAS: COST/BENEFIT ANALYSIS OF SHEEP DAIRYING; COMPILATION ON SHEEP'S MILK; AND, INVESTIGATION OF INFORMATIONAL AND ORGANIZATIONAL EFFORTS REQUIRED FOR DOMESTIC SHEEP FARMERS TO PRESENT THEIR PRODUCTS MORE EFFECTIVELY THAN FOREIGN COMPETITORS. RESULTS WILL PROVIDE (1) THE TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE FOR RURAL AREAS TO EVALUATE INSTITUTING COMMERCIALIZED SHEEP DAIRYING; (2) THE ECONOMIC DATA FOR INDIVIDUAL FARMERS AND RURAL LAND OWNERS TO FORECAST INCOME GENERATING POTENTIAL FROM SHEEP DAIEYING, AND (3) THE TECHNICAL INFORMATION FOR INDUSTRY GROUPS TO POSITION THEIR OUTPUT COMPETITIVELY WITH FOREIGN IMPORTS.