Management of sustainable farming of organic lamb production as a support to rural development

The aim of the proposed Project is organizing of organic lamb breeding and the production of high quality, safe lamb meat in regions with adequate conditions for organic production. Therefore identification of natural resources: selection of animals, breeding technologies, composition of the diet and conditioning of welfare will be done in the regions suitable for organic production and rural development plans in Serbia. The program of health protection designed in accordance with the demands of organic production will be introduced. The evaluation of animal health will include metabolic profile and oxidative parameters of stress. The parasitologic monitoring of animals and pastures will be performed continually. The sheep breeding evidence system according to the international standards ICAR, will be introduced and the data base will be formed. The investigations of feed quality and pastures will include botanical and chemical composition as well as potential presence and concentration of harmful agents. The quality, i.e safety, chemical and organoleptic traits of organic meat will be evaluated after the conversion process. The comparison between lamb meat of organic and of conventional production will be done. The ultimate aim is the introduction of technology of sustainable and organic lamb production, in order to produce high quality, safe meat. The results will be used for promotion of certain traditional products and will serve as support for local rural development.