Grazing in Open Pastures (Sheep and Goats) in the Governorate of Jericho

This study addressed livestock and pastures in the Governorate of Jericho based on the available data and information. The study aimed to examine the reality and situation of grazing and animal production in an attempt to develop the potentials of livestock. The researcher dedicated an extensive and special study that studied the situation of livestock and the conditions that farmers and shepherds experience, in addition to the circumstances of production. He also shed light on the most significant problems and obstacles facing the livestock sector in the area of study. The study relied on the analytical, descriptive approach through which the researcher collected the information by referring to the available scientific resources and references in order to gather all the basic information related to the subject of the study. He also conducted a field study through preparing a questionnaire that was distributed among farmers and consumers whose data was then processed and analyzed through the SPSS software. After conducting the study, the researcher achieved a number of results as follows: 1- The animal and plant production and its distribution in the area under study are affected by the different climate elements including rainfall and heat. 2- The livestock and natural pastures in the area under study face a number of problems that result in the shrinkage of pastoral areas and the reduction of animal production such as overgrazing and irresponsible logging. 3- The level of awareness and knowledge regarding modern animal raising issues is low among the great majority of livestock breeders. 4- The importation of some species of livestock from outside the country to provide cheap cattle and meat eventually negatively influenced the local production. 5-The Israeli military policies have also negatively affected the local production; such policies include: Political and economical limitations, the closure of wide areas of natural pastures, confiscation of land to build settlements, military training camps and the construction of bypass roads. The study came out with a number of recommendations including: The necessity to improve the local fodder types, focus on introducing new species that are highly productive that fit into the environment and suit the resident animals in the area under study, the necessity to improve the different agricultural methods used in the production of fodder such as the use of technology, modern machinery, fertilizers and pesticides. In addition to these, it is important to support and prepare the transportation network in the natural pastures areas so as to make the provision of veterinary and medical services easier. Moreover, the study recommended the establishment of unions and cooperative societies to protect natural pastures and livestock.