Improving the sustainability of livestock production in the Balearic Islands.

The project

The agri-food sector in the Balearic Islands is still facing major challenges, especially livestock, where feeding animals is the main production cost. The islands are heavily dependent on fodder imports, which makes production more expensive and leads to abandonment of the activity. This affects the food sovereignty of the archipelago and the maintenance of this productive sector in our territory. 

To respond to these challenges, the Livestock Production Sustainability and Agrarian Ecosystem Management Project has been set up. The goals focus on four key areas: 

1-optimising farm profitability, 

2-promoting technological innovation to adapt the sector to the challenges of climate change,

3- increasing research in food and livestock production 

4- supporting the continuous training of professionals to improve their skills. 

Animal feed is the first step in the food chain and one of the key points of the project. It is essential to understand the nutritional needs of livestock in order to optimise feed rations and thus improve productivity, always within the framework of food safety, animal health and respect for the environment. This will help to reduce costs and improve farm profitability.

Grouped purchases of fodder and other animal feed between livestock farms will also be encouraged. This strategy will not only optimise costs, but will also help to strengthen collaboration between farmers on the islands.

The aim is also to boost the digitalisation of production processes so that livestock farms can analyse their profitability, adjust their strategies and improve their economic sustainability. A specific ecological footprint model will also be created for farms in the Balearic Islands, which will allow for better management of natural resources.

Finally, a pilot project will be launched in collaboration with the University of the Balearic Islands (UIB). The aim will be to provide specific answers to the social, economic and environmental challenges facing the livestock sector in the Islands, with a special focus on training, research and innovation. 43 livestock farms will participate together with the Department of Business Economics of the UIB. 

The livestock sector in the Balearic Islands is fundamental for the local economy but also for the preservation of our landscapes and biodiversity. The aim is to ensure its continuity in a sustainable and forward-looking manner.