Sustainable Intensification of Dairy

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.