An Analysis of Small-Ruminant Farming in Marginal Area of the Mediterranean Region: A Focus on the Gentile di Puglia Breed

This review provides insights on livestock farming in the Mediterranean regions, highlighting strengths, weakness, opportunities and threats. Biodiversity conservation and production of high-value, certified products are the main strengths of Mediterranean livestock systems. On the contrary, depopulation, low productivity and poor infrastructure and dependence on public subsides represent the main weaknesses of these systems. Climate change, market volatility and competition with intensive animal rearing systems are threats for Mediterranean livestock farming. A significant opportunity for Mediterranean livestock farming is represented by the presence of drought-tolerant native breeds and ecosystem services that contribute both to agricultural productivity and to ecosystem resilience and socio-cultural activities. Strategies that can promote local animal production in the Mediterranean region are provided with a focus on the Gentile di Puglia breed.