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Small ruminants: Holistic approach in farming with reduced environmental footprint

 

Short description

This project is a comprehensive training for small ruminant farmers for the implementation of modern zootechnical and management practices under the supervision of the Laboratory of Nutrition, of the School of Veterinary Medicine, of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, in collaboration with the Laboratory of Agricultural Construction of the Agricultural University of Athens, the Hellenic Feedstuff Industries (EL.VI.Z. SA) and Eurofarm SA with several well experienced Professors and Scientists of the agriculture, both horticulture and animal production. Scientific coordinator of the project will be Dr Ilias Giannenas, Assistant professor and director of Laboratory of Nutrition.

The training program for sheep and goat breeding will prepare two groups of 30 young people to develop into organized breeders - entrepreneurs. With the completion of the program, the new breeders will be a "yeast" of trained professionals according to the new requirements for more environmentally friendly management, improvements in stables and rational nutrition and will be able to support the production of high quality products.

The training program lasts 100 hours, of which 50 hours involves theorical training and 50 hours involves  practice. 


At the end of the program a Certificate of Attendance will be given to participants. 

 

Program objectives

The main goal of the program is to be a good starting point for new breeders / producers and to provide them with support throughout their activities.

 

Target group

Participants must be willing to participate in the training program (at least 90% attendance), be occupied and interested in modern sheep and goat farming as well as to be available to start their employment in sheep and goat farming as new farmers.

 

Curriculum

The curriculum includes the following topics (indicatively):

• Organisation and application of modern integrated management practices on sheep and goat farms
• Production of feeds using environmentally-environment methods
• Rational diet formulation of small ruminants
• Improvement of the microclimate of sheep and goat farms
• Waste exploitation for the production of energy and bio-fertilizers

 

Areas of activation of the 2021-22 training round

Lemnos and Rodopi


Duration of action

6 months. Attendance is mandatory
Classes take place 3 to 4 days each month (approximately).

 

Additional information

Ilias Giannenas 
School of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
Tel: 2310999937
Emailigiannenas@vet.auth.gr