Economic assessment of deferred grazing pasture system for rangeland restoration in steppe areas: A quantitative analysis
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25081/jaa.2025.v11.9186Keywords:
Beneficiaries, Ecosystem services, Performance indicators, Scenario simulationsAbstract
Over the past three decades, substantial efforts have been made to implement public programs aimed at developing pastoral areas in Algeria. This study seeks to investigate the impacts of rangeland restoration projects, specifically deferred grazing, in the steppe regions. To achieve this objective, a comprehensive financial evaluation of pasture management techniques was conducted in the steppe. The study focused on identifying the most important ecosystem goods and services provided by deferred grazing project and the main beneficiaries compared with free-range grazing through observations in the areas concerned. Also, a detailed analysis of the cost structure for the deferred grazing technique, and four key criteria: Net Present Value NPV, Internal Rate of Return IRR, Invested Capital Recovery ICR, Profitability Ratio PR, and the productivity threshold for which breeders have an interest in using deferred grazing areas. Through scenario simulations, the financial profitability of these restoration projects was assessed by formulating various hypotheses. Additionally, the study evaluated the benefits of taking action to combat steppe land degradation. The results of the analysis yielded valuable insights into the economic implications of the restoration projects. Furthermore, this study draws important policy implications for the Algerian pastoral economy.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Benbader Habib, Mohamed Amine Benmehaia, Mohamed Saâdaoui, Mohamed Kacimi Elhassani, Adel Djoughlafi, Abdelghafour Doghbage, Hafidh Zemour, Walid Soufan, Muhammad Nazim, Fathi Abdellatif Belhouadjeb
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