AN EXPERTS SURVEY ON THE ROLE OF FORAGE LEGUMES IN ARABLE CROPPING SYSTEMS OF THE MEDITERRANEAN AREA

In an attempt to assess the level of integration of annual forage legumes into the cropping systems of the Mediterranean region, a survey instrument was sent to a broad-spectrum of representative experts. Responses characterized respondents by countries and study areas. The questionnaire posed specific questions related to the main physical determinants of the study area, the forage legumes use, the ability of forage legumes acreage to cover the seasonality of natural resources and the qualitative opinions of representative experts on the role of forage legumes, agricultural policy and structural limitation to current sheep production methods. A total of 23 questionnaires were returned with a rate of response of 34 per cent. Greater than 70 per cent of respondents considered that crop-livestock systems are associated. However, a forage deficit was detected in all but one of the study areas. Respondents considered that farm size and fragmentation is the main limitation to the transition from open and hard-working systems to semi-enclosed sheep production methods. Most respondents (95 per cent) agreed that social attitudes toward current methods of sheep and goat farming are preventing a positive approach of farmers toward forage legumes cultivation.