Latin America and The Caribbean working in dairy sustainable intensification - LACTIS

Eleven countries from LAC work together characterizing dairy production systems of the region, modelling improved systems and validating an implementing environmental, economic and social sustainable dairy intensification systems.

Context of the story

Global population is expected to keep on increasing, which implies an increase in food demand. In this context, in order to supply this demand, increases in productivity will be required. Latin America and the Caribbean region have enough natural resources to produce milk, even to double the current production levels. However, would it be feasible to increase productivity, and at the same time to improve family’s income and wellbeing, minimizing environmental impacts?

A common language for economic, social and environmental sustainability

The implemented initiative

To talk about sustainable intensification in Latin America and the Caribbean 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. With Project LACTIS a cooperation platform was developed, which enabled to stablish a baseline, develop common indicators in order to character the systems, to validate improved systems, and at the same time to strengthen technicians and researchers’ abilities while spreading knowledge.

Modelling as a tool for evaluating sustainable intensification strategies

The technological solution

In order to evaluate sustainable intensification strategies, the dairy systems simulation model OLE! (v5.3) was developed and adapted to the dairy production systems of the region (LAC). This tool enables to model - with a few inputs and easy to obtain on farm – the baseline production systems in each country and to model improved scenarios, evaluating the biophysical, economic, social and environmental impact. The proposed scenarios will be validated on monitored commercial farms, with the interaction of technicians and farmers, resulting in learning exchange and knowledge divulgation.

“We work to have sustainable and resilient production systems using a common language in Latin America and the Caribbean “

Proyect technician

Participating countries

Type of project

Agronomic Practices

Results

• Regional dairy productions systems baseline establishment, through the classification and description of the production systems in 11 countries from LAC.
• Selection of improved strategies for sustainable intensification, through the agreed selection of key performance indicators of biophysical, economic, social and environmental performance.
• Simulation of sustainable intensification strategies in each county through the development and adaptation of the ‘Dairy systems simulation model’ applicable to LAC dairy systems.
• 11 Technicians trained in the use of the ‘Dairy systems simulation model’.