Typification of ovine and caprine production systems in the Colombian dry tropic

The objective of this study was to typify ovine and/or caprine production systems in Cesar department, in the Colombian Caribbean region. Farmers from 25 municipalities of Cesar (n = 360) were surveyed about different areas of animal production. The most influential variables were obtained through a Factor Analysis of Mixed Data (FAMD) and these results were used to run a hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA), followed by statistical comparison. Three clusters of production systems (PS) were identified: traditional ovine and/or caprine production system – TPS (84.9%), mixed ovine and/or caprine production system - MPS (11.4%), and specialized ovine and/or caprine production system - SPS (3.7%). This study proposes an updated classification of sheep and/or goat production systems in Cesar, Colombia. •These clusters represent an updated classification of sheep and/or goat production systems in Cesar, Colombia.•The population of goats in all three clusters is low compared to sheep and cattle.•We created a geospatial database to be used as a baseline for further studies.