The economic dimension of extentification of livestockhusbandry in the island of Chalki

The island of Chalki of Dodecanese Prefecture and the adjacent islets constitute areas of “NATURA 2000”. The range condition of their grazing lands though is generally poor. This is testified by the presence of a large number of unpalatable species such as the dominant phrygana. Up to now, eight animal farmers of Chalki have joined the program “Extentification of livestockhusbandry” of the Agro-Environmental Measure 3.4., Axis 3 of the Document Planning of Rural Development 2000-2006 (DPRD). It was found that the present grazing capacity of the grazing lands amounts to 1.312 animals (goats and sheep). On the contrary, the stocking rate amounts to 4.491 goats-sheep. From the area of grazing lands which was allocated to farmers in order to join the program of extentification of livestock husbandry of DPRD, it comes out that this allocation was done by the Municipality based on the highest limit of grazing density which is anticipated by the Codes of Rational Agricultural Practice, namely one hectare per animal unit. This density however is not valid for Chalki, where the productivity of grazing lands is very low. A more appropriate rate is 1 hectare per 0,1 AU. It must be noted that the Municipality does not allocate all the grazing lands to the existing animal farmers. On the contrary, by the rate of one hectare per AU many areas are left out which the Municipality subsequently leases to farmers as excess grazing lands and collects rent. Although this policy is favorable for the finances of the Municipality it does not favor the grazing lands and the environment. Therefore, a drastic decrease of animals in Chalki (almost 60%) is needed for the following reasons: a) improvement of animal farmers’ economic situation, b) upgrading of grazing lands’ productivity and b) protection of fauna and flora of the island.