Co-designing sustainability assessment indicators for sheep farming in West Africa using a SWOT analysis approach

Data were collected via electronic questionnaires (CSPro software) designed to conduct SWOT analysis - identifying internal factors (strengths and weaknesses) and external factors (opportunities and threats) affecting farm sustainability. The questionnaire used open-ended questions covering technical, organizational, economic, and social aspects of operations.

Farms were pre-classified into three categories: Specialized fattening sheep farms (SSF), Emerging sheep farms (ESF), and Traditional sheep farms (TSF). The SWOT analysis examined four dimensions of sheep farming operations: Strengths focused on positive internal factors including satisfactory operational aspects, farm competitiveness, and available assets. Weaknesses identified internal limitations such as unsatisfactory operational factors, areas needing improvement, internal constraints, and economic challenges.