Search

This study is aimed at evaluating the quality and safety of two traditional fermented dairy products commonly found in Lebanon (Ambarees and Kishk in its dry and wet forms) by detecting foodborne pathogens and indicator microorganisms. Additionally, it seeks to identify the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats to quality and the production level. A total of 58 random samples (duplicated) including goat milk (n= 16), dry Kishk (n= 8), wet Kishk (n= 8), and Ambarees (n= 26) were collected from individuals who both farm and process these products. They represent the two production levels within the identified value chains in the Shouf and West Bekaa regions. Microbiological analyses revealed that all samples were free of Escherichia coli, while Staphylococcus aureuswas found in all of them with significantly higher levels of contamination in wet Kishk, indicating poor hygienic practices at the different production levels. Coliforms were found in only 3.8% of the Ambareessamples, made from raw milk, showing that the decreasing pH and water activity throughout the long milk fermentation process contributes to the low prevalence of these microorganisms and that cross‐contamination might have occurred during the packaging phase. A regional pattern was observed where microbial counts (total aerobic counts, total coliforms, and S. aureus) were found significantly higher (p< 0.05) in milk samples of the West Bekaa, suggesting better hygienic conditions in the Shouf as compared to the West Bekaa. This analysis would be an important tool for developing the goat dairy sector and enhancing the production and promotion of traditional goat milk products. Valorization at the different levels of the value chain, starting with the adoption of good production practices on the farm, training on hygienic standards, innovation in packaging and marketing, and developing adequate policies, may ensure high‐quality end‐products that will eventually contribute to the livelihoods of the main stakeholders in this value chain and help preserve these national culinary gems.

Purpose: Small-scale goat farming and dairy goat productions are significant constituents in the livelihoods of marginal Lebanese rural communities. Reviving and supporting that sector is instrumental in creating value for rural communities to build sustainable livelihoods and safeguard climate-adapted value chains (VCs). The paper aims to describe the dairy goat VC in the Shouf and West Bekaa (WB) areas of Lebanon, which are traditionally popular for caprine production. Design/methodology/approach: A socio-economic approach was employed to determine the perceived challenges, opportunities and context of goat farmers and dairy processor in the Shouf and WB casas as case studies, using the Heifer International's toolkit for goat value chains. Questionnaires were developed for the five actors of the VC: farmer, milk collector, processor, retailer and consumer. The data were analyzed quantitatively, using simple statistical analysis, and qualitatively through observation, gathering, coding and thematically organizing the responses. Findings: In the Shouf, the chain is shorter, consisting of a farmer, processor and consumer, while in the WB the VC includes a milk collector and larger dairy factories. The value is unequally and unfairly distributed among the actors putting the small-scale farmers and processors in subordinate positions. In terms of enabling environment, the role of the state, authorities and organizations remains minimal in supporting the sector. The challenges facing this sector are economic, regulatory, operational, social and hygienic as perceived by the participants. Research limitations/implications: The economic, political and social instability of the country hinders the performance of the sector. Originality/value: Limited research is available on the small ruminants' VC in Lebanon, addressing the socio-economic status of goat farmers and opportunities available in the sector. On the other hand, the demand for traditional dairy products is increasing amid rising concerns related to intensive livestock systems and negative association of livestock systems with climate change. Accordingly, basic assessment and research on the existing small ruminant dairy chains is important as a first step for the sustainable development of the sector.

Livestock keeping constitutes a traditional and important economic activity in the Arab region. This paper aims to assess the role of the Arab livestock sector in food and nutritional security in terms of demand, supply, national policies and trade in the light of major environmental constraints, with data illustrations from Morocco (Mediterranean country) and Saudi Arabia (oil-rich country). Demand for livestock products is increasing in the Arab region driven by the growing population with different degrees of increased urbanization and wealth. On the supply side, local livestock production is largely based on rainfed mixed and pastoral livestock systems making it vulnerable to the effects of climate change and water scarcity. Intensive systems, where present, are mostly dependent on feed imports with an important water footprint. Livestock production is further conditioned by a history of arbitrary national policies that had a particularly negative effect on small producers and contributed to the degradation of national resources. Arab countries rely on trade from the world market to fill their gap in animal feed and livestock products with varying trading power based on wealth and the availability of free trade agreements. Following analysis of the sector, the paper concludes with the proposition of a pro-poor policy framework for the development of a sustainable Arab livestock sector.