Agrosavia Introduces Sustainable Dairy Model in Southern Colombia
Agrosavia has introduced a comprehensive model for sustainable dairy farming in the Alto Putumayo region, focusing on soil management, animal nutrition, and farm administration. This initiative is aimed at increasing productivity and sustainability for small-scale producers.
The model is detailed in a manual titled “Sustainable and Profitable Dairy Farming: Practices for Small Producers in the Alto Putumayo Sub-region,” developed in collaboration with farming families in southern Colombia. The publication highlights the importance of viewing soil as a living ecosystem, incorporating physical, chemical, and biological aspects to ensure efficient production systems.
Research conducted by Agrosavia shows that poor soil drainage can limit root development, reduce nutrient availability, and decrease forage production, adversely affecting dairy cow nutrition and milk yield. Consequently, the model includes practices like improving pasture quality, strategic supplementation, and enhancing animal welfare to boost productivity without expanding productive land.
Agrosavia collaborated with the Kamëntsá Biyá indigenous community in the Sibundoy valley to develop this approach through a “livestock showcase,” where various management alternatives were tested. Recommendations from this initiative include improving pasture drainage, restoring soil structure and fertility, and keeping detailed production cost records.
The manual also underscores sustainability as a business strategy, addressing environmental, economic, and social dimensions. Agrosavia argues that sustainable intensification can enhance resilience to climate variability, improve competitiveness, and create more efficient production systems prepared for future challenges.
Agrosavia's initiative reflects a broader understanding of sustainability not just as an environmental goal but as a means to reduce losses and enhance system efficiency, ultimately benefiting small-scale dairy farmers economically and socially.
