Ganadera araucana faces crisis with cheese and buffaloes

In Tame (Arauca), Saida Ydaly Niño Castrillón confronts two key challenges: low milk prices — around $1,500 per liter with little change in the last 15 years — and climate impacts threatening traditional production. In response, she invests in innovation and collaboration. She leads the Association of Producers and Marketers of Milk from Piedemonte Araucano (Aprocolpa), aiming to add value by processing their milk and sending products to Bogotá for better earnings. Initially with 32 members collecting 1,200 liters daily, they now gather 800 liters per day and produce double-cream cheese. Diversification includes introducing buffaloes for climate adaptation, as they fare better in flood-prone areas, while traditional cattle remain in drier spots. Buffalo milk is more productive for cheese-making, requiring 5 liters to produce 1 kg compared to 10 liters with cow milk. Their sustainable model also embraces environmental responsibility by maintaining approximately 2,000 tree species and adding 150 new ones, such as guácimo, samán, and yopo.