The Importance of Indigenous Ruminant Breeds for Preserving Genetic Diversity and the Risk of Extinction Due to Crossbreeding—A Case Study in an Intensified Livestock Area in Western Macedonia, Greece

Martha Tampaki, Georgia Koutouzidou, Katerina Melfou, Athanasios Ragkos and Ioannis A. Giantsis ()
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Martha Tampaki: Department of Agriculture, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Western Macedonia, 53100 Florina, Greece
Georgia Koutouzidou: Department of Agriculture, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Western Macedonia, 53100 Florina, Greece
Katerina Melfou: Department of Agriculture, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Western Macedonia, 53100 Florina, Greece
Athanasios Ragkos: Agricultural Economics Research Institute, Hellenic Agricultural Organization—DIMITRA, 11528 Athens, Greece
Ioannis A. Giantsis: Department of Agriculture, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Western Macedonia, 53100 Florina, Greece

Agriculture, 2025, vol. 15, issue 17, 1-18

Abstract: Livestock plays a crucial role in the global food system, not only as an important source of nutrients but also as a means of economic and social well-being. It constitutes a critical parameter of agricultural production in Mediterranean countries, with the majority of farms still having a relatively small herd size and depending largely on family labor. The purpose of this study is to record and evaluate the perceptions of livestock farmers in the Region of Western Macedonia, Greece (which represents a typical paradigm of an agricultural region), regarding the future prospects and the actions taken to ensure the sustainability of their farms. The research is based on a survey carried out from May to October, 2024, on ruminant farmers. Selective breeding and crossbreeding with higher-productivity breeds are some of the genetic improvements that are generally applied to increase productivity and were, therefore, investigated in this study. Through gradual crossbreeding, farmers attempt to improve the composition of their initial herds by incorporating high-productivity traits—although without officially participating in any recognized improvement program. This increases the risk of extinction for indigenous breeds, which are abandoned for use by the farmers. Our results also showed that most livestock farms derive from inheritances, with many livestock farmers practicing grazing mainly in mountainous areas and still rearing indigenous breeds. From the farmers’ point of view, more information and education regarding market conditions are needed. Furthermore, the sustainability of farms largely depends on subsidies, which are crucial due to difficulties in economic viability, particularly in mountainous areas. Encouraging the support of market differentiation and public awareness for the nutritional value of products derived from local breeds may serve as a promising agrobiodiversity conservation strategy.

Keywords: conservation breeding; animal genetic resources; Greek red bovine breed; Chios sheep; Karagkouniko sheep; Lacaune; genetic improvement; goats; cattle (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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