Resumen

EILERS, Karen et al. Analysis of iguana iguana farming systems in nicaragua, costa rica and panama. INCI [online]. 2002, vol.27, n.11, pp.599-606. ISSN 0378-1844.

This survey evaluated existing Iguana iguana (Green iguana) farming systems in Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama. Data were gathered in 1997, by interviewing iguana farmers, their neighbors, iguana experts and government officials about the purported socio-economic and ecological benefits of iguana farming. Iguana farming was expected to provide additional revenue, stimulate nature conservation, produce animal protein, increase the number of trees and augment knowledge about nature. A major constraint was the initial investment, especially when banks provided no credit programs and smallholders depended on credit schemes of NGOs. In Nicaragua and Panama, the existing iguana farming systems had poor prospects to generate additional revenue. Iguana farming had ecological benefits as it stimulated nature conservation attitudes, conservation of trees, augmented the knowledge of farmers about nature and relied on local feed resources. Existing legislation and regulations on iguana farming and trade limited the possibilities of commercializing iguanas and their products. Most iguana farming systems did not generate extra income, had high initial costs, needed professional help to meet the statutory requirements. To introduce iguana farming successfully, it must be profitable for farmers and they must be given professional help to meet the statutory requirements for iguana farming

Palabras clave : Green Iguana ; Iguana iguana ; Nicaragua ; Costa Rica ; Panama ; Farming Systems .