Pigtrop - the information center about pig production and pork meat commodity chains in developing countries

The dromedary and the pig are two livestock species emblematic of a gradient ranging from extensive to intensive husbandry conditions involving various a priori exclusive situations. Yet, despite the essential differences between these two species regarding both physiological and zootechnical aspects and sociological and cultural ones, their rearing and the industries they generate are faced nowadays with seemingly similar issues (quality of products, economic sustainability, biodiversity, environmental impact, regional markets) and dynamics (intensification, diversification) that tend to bring them closer in terms of development and for which a major research effort is necessary. Following a comparison of their world-wide distribution, their differences in productivity, use of the space and place in society, the present changes of their farming systems uphold the idea of different livestock development pathways. This article results from a confrontation of two zootechnicians, each specialized in one of these species.