Livestock and mountainous agriculture in NE part of Trikala Prefecture

The primary production sector constitutes main economic and social growth lever at the mountainous and unfavourable regions. The extensive livestock production, contrary to the stabling livestock production of lowland regions, depends on the existence of rangelands and is considered as a compatible activity with the conservation of natural environment. The aim of this study was to determine homogeneous areas of agricultural-pastoral activities in the semi-mountainous and mountainous area of northeasten part of prefecture Trikala, which is covered by nine Municipalities (Vasiliki, Estiaiotida, Kalampaka, Oixalia, Palaiokastrou, Paralithaion, Pelinnaion, Timphaion and Chasion). The similarity of above Municipalities was estimated based on the indicators altitude, area of veterinary plants and the cereals, livestock, the pastureland area and rangeland area, and finally the grazing pressure. The results showed that: (1) altitude is the main factor determining the grouping of municipalities, (2) the rangeland area and the cultivation of cereals differentiate the municipal villages, (3) the high grazing pressure of rangelands demands suitable administrative measures for the pastureland improvement and increase of mountainous agriculture contribution in the sustainable livestock production.