Code:
FTG/RF-15069-RG
Initiative:
Seed fund
FONTAGRO Amount:
USD 30.000
Counterpart Amount:
USD 38.555
Execution time
12 Months
Total Amount:
USD 68.555
Participating countries:
Uruguay Uruguay Argentina Argentina Costa Rica Costa Rica Dominican Republic Dominican Republic Honduras Honduras Nicaragua Nicaragua Panama Panama Paraguay Paraguay Venezuela Venezuela Brazil Brazil Mexico Mexico
Funding source:
FONTAGRO Amount 44% Other agencies 0% Counterpart Amount 56%

Executive Summary

Agricultural activity consumes most available fresh water out of all human activities. In particular, dairy production uses large volumes of water, directly and indirectly. Therefore, it is important to estimate water use as an indicator of the long-term sustainability of dairy production. Medium-term projections show that global demand for dairy products will be greater than the growth in supply and that its markets are increasingly demanding guarantees of safety, health, respect for the environment and animal welfare. The current challenge is to produce more with fewer resources (eco-efficiency) and with a reduced global impact on ecosystems.

In some countries, such as Argentina and Uruguay, the life cycle of carbon in agricultural production systems has begun to be studied, driven by para-tariff barriers and increased market demands, and by the confirmation that both carbon and water footprints are critical components at the primary production level. Although national estimates of the Carbon Footprint are being obtained in both countries, so far little is known about the issue of the water footprint.

Given this outlook, this project proposed to review the current situation and values of the carbon and water footprint in dairy production systems of the participating countries to learn more about the environmental impacts of the intensification processes, and thus identify, prioritize, design and formalize a research project aimed at improving the indicators to achieve a rational use of natural resources. Additionally, the regional work and effort will facilitate integration and complementarity among research teams aimed at strengthening innovation networks.

Results

  • Identify the research teams of the participating countries that are working on the development of this topic.
  • Identify the main critical factors of sustainable intensification in the dairy sector of participating countries.
  • Characterize the current situation of this topic in the participating countries.
  • Formulate a research and innovation project on sustainable dairy intensification for the region.

Beneficiaries

  • Researchers from participating countries who will have access to regional research networks.
  • Indirectly, dairy producers and the processing and marketing industries of each participating country.

Sustainable Development Goals

Clean water and sanitation Responsible consumption and production Climate action Partnerships for the goals

Main donors

Participating Organizations

Executor
  • Instituto Nacional de Investigación Agropecuaria (INIA) - Uruguay
Co-executor
  • Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA) - Argentina
  • Instituto Nacional de Innovación y Transferencia en Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA) - Costa Rica
  • Instituto Paraguayo de Tecnología Agraria (IPTA) - Paraguay
  • Instituto Dominicano de Investigaciones Agropecuarias y Forestales (IDIAF) - República Dominicana
  • Dirección de Ciencia y Tecnología Agropecuaria (DICTA) - Honduras
  • Instituto Nicaragüense de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA) - Nicaragua
  • Instituto de Innovación Agropecuaria de Panamá (IDIAP) - Panamá
  • Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Agrícolas (INIA) - Venezuela
Associated
  • INIFAP - México
  • Empresa Brasileña de Investigación Agropecuaria (EMBRAPA) - Brasil

Graphics and data

Financing by country (in USD)
FONTAGRO Amount Other agencies Counterpart Amount

Geolocated Map

Publications and resources

Researchers

Sponsors
BID
IICA
With the support of
Fondo Coreano de Alianza para el Conocimiento en Tecnología e Innovación (KPK)