Sustainable Intensification of Dairy

Executive Summary

Global population is expected to continue increasing, implying an increase in food demand. In order to supply this demand, increases in productivity will be required.

Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) have ample natural resources for dairy production, enough even to double current production levels. However, would it be feasible to increase productivity, and at the same time to improve family’s income and wellbeing while minimizing environmental impacts?

To talk about sustainable intensification in LAC was a challenge, given the high diversity of dairy production systems, the lack of characterization of these systems and the cultural differences between the different countries. Through Project LACTIS a cooperation platform was developed which enabled the establishment of a baseline and development of common indicators in order to characterize systems, validate improved systems, and at the same time strengthen technicians and researchers’ abilities while spreading knowledge.  

The technological solution

To evaluate sustainable intensification strategies, the ‘Dairy systems simulation model’ and the ‘Dairy Monitor’ were developed and adapted to the dairy production systems of the region (LAC). The simulation model allows for modelling of baseline production systems in each country and under improved scenarios using few inputs that are easy to obtain on-farm, evaluating the biophysical, economic, social, and environmental impact. 'Dairy Monitor 2' allowed the monitoring of the physical, economic, social, and environmental indicators on commercial farms where planned changes were implemented. The proposed scenarios were validated on monitored commercial farms, with the interaction of technicians and farmers, resulting in knowledge exchange and dissemination.

Results

Beneficiaries

Direct beneficiaries

• 15 researchers that work in different topics within dairy and belong to the co-executor and associated organisms of the project. They have been directly involved in all the project activities.
• 450 technicians and researchers have been trained in modelling, validating and implementing environmentally, economically, and socially sustainable dairy intensification systems
• A total of 200 farmers and technicians are directly involved in the project.

Indirect beneficiaries

• It is estimated that the project has indirectly benefited approximately 391,152 farmers, covering around 5,000 hectares with potential for 20 million hectares.

Sustainable Development Goals

Main donors

Dissemination products