Valorization of goat farming in arid regions for the benefit of the meat sector (Case of Touggourt, Algeria)

The objective of this study is to analyse the situation of goat farming in arid regions, to assess the rate of consumption of goat meat by the local population and to study the nutritional quality of this goat meat. Data were collected from interviews with farmers and butchers as well as consultation of documentation at the agricultural services of Touggourt. The physico-chemical study of the meat is made on the kids meat of the Arbia population. We observed that the local population of goats represents 88% of the total population. The Arbia and the Cherkia population are the most represented respectively in 92% and 82% of the farms surveyed. We have recorded that the consumption of goat meat has been increasing continuously in recent years. The physico-chemical characterization of the meat shows that the pH of the analyzed meat was 5.8, the average humidity was 76.5%, the ash (Ash) was 0.9%, the total fat (TF) was 2.5% and the total protein (TP) was 24.1%. The chemical composition and nutritional value of Arbia goat meat was of very satisfactory quality.

Keywords: goat, Arbia, meat, consumption, Touggourt.