Use of the RICA (farm accounting data network) data bank to identify the constraints of sheep and goat livestock farming systems

Farm efficiency has always been the paramount objective of intrapenerial choices. This study conducted on about 1500 sheep and goats milk farms aims at evaluating, through an accounting analysis using RICA data for the years 83-92, those factors affecting the farmer's strategic capability and, therefore, the farm' revenue. More than physical constraints, being not-modifiable in the short ran, the farm's internal and external ones are appraised and their bearing on the system's growth rate determined.