Analysis of environmental changes resulting from the intensification of poultry production systems by rural families in Algeria

This paper presents an analysis of the results of a field survey of 870 rural families (RF) in northern Algeria on the dynamics of family poultry (FP) activity. It also highlights the mechanisms of the new orientation of rural households that held onto the agricultural activity and resorted to the intensification of poultry production systems (IPPS), as well as studies the environmental changes based on the concept of 'causality' according to the driving force-pressure-state-impact-response (DPSIR). IPPS activity has been shown to be a driving force reflected in three environmental pressures: infrastructure expansion, excessive use of chemical technology and the increase in wrong agricultural practices. These pressures lead to a change in the environmental functions and leave impacts on social, economic and environmental dimensions in light of the absence of response to mitigate or correct the adverse effects and the low level of environmental awareness among breeders. The study concluded that there is a weak to moderate correlation between the adherence of rural families to the activity of family poultry and their tendency to intensify poultry production systems, and the topographic characteristics of their geographical location.