Due to changing climatic and market conditions, there is a greater awareness of biodiversity, which also includes genetic diversity of domestic animals. Conservation of animal genetic resources is important because of their economic, social and cultural benefits, ecological role, food production, food security, etc. In an effort to conserve animal genetic resources and to prevent genetic erosion, an insight is needed into the motives and objectives of key actors, i.e. breeders of local breeds of domestic animals, on the basis of which they could provide them with optimal conditions for the conservation of animal genetic resources. The present master's thesis aims to provide a more precise insight into the motives, goals and perspectives of breeders of domestic breeds of domestic animals in Slovenia, thereby contributing to more effective strategies for the conservation of animal genetic resources in the future. The findings are based on the results of a survey involving 301 farmers, including breeders of Slovenian indigenous and traditional breeds. We have found that Slovene breeders most often decide on the breeding of autochthonous breeds of domestic animals due to the quality of products. Among the most important environmental and other social benefits of autochthonous breeds, they emphasize the tradition of products. The list of motifs is longer, the motifs are more complex and different from the groups considered. As a reason for the conservation of these breeds, Slovenian breeders do not put the amount of support in the foreground, which is in line with the findings of similar surveys in other countries. In order to increase production, farmers would be most encouraged by the 'regulated market' in their assessment. The possibilities of market valorization of indigenous breeds of products are poorly exploited in Slovenia, with some rare exceptions.
|