=Paper=
{{Paper
|id=Vol-2761/HAICTA_2020_paper84
|storemode=property
|title=The Role of ICT in the Expansion of Pelagonia Sheep - Abstract
|pdfUrl=https://ceur-ws.org/Vol-2761/HAICTA_2020_paper84.pdf
|volume=Vol-2761
|authors=Athanasios Batzios,Alexandros Theodoridis
|dblpUrl=https://dblp.org/rec/conf/haicta/BatziosT20
}}
==The Role of ICT in the Expansion of Pelagonia Sheep - Abstract==
<pdf width="1500px">https://ceur-ws.org/Vol-2761/HAICTA_2020_paper84.pdf</pdf>
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   The Role of ICT in the Expansion of Pelagonia Sheep -
                        Abstract

                     Athanasios Batzios1, Alexandros Theodoridis2
       1
        Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece; e-mail: thanos.batzios@gmail.com
                         2
                          Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece



Summary

    Sheep farming is one of the most important livestock sectors utilizing marginal
areas and producing high-quality dairy and meat products. Lately, there is an
increasing tendency for added value, traditional sheep products from local breeds, due
to their high nutritional value and special taste. Pelagonia sheep breed, which is
currently in danger of extension, is reared mainly in West Macedonia, Greece.
Pelagonia sheep, which are high resistant to infectious diseases, adverse soil and
climatic conditions, produce high-quality products and have relatively high prolificacy
rate, characteristics that show breed’s improvement potential. Nonetheless, their
advantages are not fully valorized.
    The Greek sheep farming sector has several structural problems in adapting to
current economic conditions; low investments in machinery and buildings and high
input prices that increase production costs, result to low income making it difficult for
the sector to develop. Inadequate organization and mismanagement of sheep farms,
low educational level of breeders and lack of training, information and expertise are
significant problems that are an obstacle to the sector’s development. Farmers are
mainly old, with limited skills and knowledge and are reluctant to modify farming
practices, there is lack of innovation culture across farmer communities and low farmer
investment capacity.
    These constraints indicate the need for adoption of innovative solutions, ICT and
application of smart technologies on sheep farming. Thus, the objective in this study
was to indicate the measures that need to be taken to utilize the strengths of the sector
and to identify ICT tools and innovative practices that could make the sector more
sustainable and profitable. Data and relative information were obtained from a
literature review on the use of ICT on livestock sector and personal interviews of
sector’s stakeholders. A SWOT analysis was implemented through the development
of a general model for understanding and managing the environment in which the
sheep sector operates.
    At farm level, the survey and the analysis of the feedback received from sector’s
experts indicated the use of technologies to control factors such as soil-climate and
animal temperatures, could contribute positively to grazing and animal health, as well
as tracking devices for controlling animals during grazing. The installation of
ventilation and heating systems combined with the modernization of the facilities,
would significantly improve the living conditions for animals’ welfare. Additionally,




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using automation equipment machinery could contribute positively, while using
Renewable Energy Sources would drastically reduce maintenance and production
costs. The use of smart portable devices that record and analyze farm data contribute
to a more efficient management of sheep farms. In manufacturing, the use of
processing, sorting, maintenance and control machinery could be a reliable solution to
increase the added value of the products. Moreover, consumers are now interested in
food information, transparency and traceability and food quality control systems and
modern packaging support product quality and rebuild consumer trust.
   The adoption of ICT could help in the optimal utilization of resources to ensure
higher animal welfare and to improve milk and meat production. The inflow of funds
should be utilized in the adoption of innovative practices and smart technologies in
Pelagonia sheep breeding, but also in the processing of the products, maximizing their
added value. Equally important and necessary condition for the above is the relevant
training of sheep breeders with ICT tools, as well as the continuous support of experts
supervising the implementation of new technologies.

       Keywords: ICT; Sheep; breeders; livestock.

       JEL Codes: Q13; Q16; N50.


Acknowledgments. This research has been co-funded by the EU and national funds
of the INTERREG IPA-CBC Greece-North Macedonia (project acronym: PAPESHE).
The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of the
European Union, the participating countries and the Managing Authority.




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