What strategies would sheep farmers implement to respond to climate change? A cross-national comparison of sheep farming systems in the Mediterranean

Abstract

How livestock systems respond to climate change (CC) will shape global food security and rural livelihoods. The Mediterranean region, a climate risk hotspot, hosts diverse livestock systems, including extensive meat sheep farming, where adaptation is critical to prevent economic and social decline. However, response measures are often identified through top-down approaches that overlook local conditions and farmers' perspectives. This study conducted 216 face-to-face surveys with farmers across 11 meat sheep systems in Egypt, France, Spain, and Tunisia to examine their beliefs about CC, perceived farm impacts, and preferred strategies to cope CC. Cluster analysis identified five strategies: i) infrastructure improvement, ii) feed intensification, iii) feed optimization, iv) diversified adjustments, and v) flock management with feed intensification. These strategies were present across all countries and systems. Farmers widely recognize CC and its effects but most attribute its causes a combination of natural and human factors or to natural processes, rather than exclusively to human activity. Their primary concern is feed security, addressed through grazing, indoor feeding, or both, with increased feed purchases playing a central role. Conversely, breed substitution and reproductive management changes are rarely considered. The emphasis on farm infrastructure improvement and feed intensification suggests farmers prioritize reducing exposure to CC impacts by decoupling their farms from local environmental conditions. This aligns with a ‘sustainable intensification’ approach, which presents socio-economic and environmental challenges, requiring greater technical support for farmers to implement effective responses to CC.