Peruvian Dairy Farmers Face Challenges from Potential Drought

Dairy farmers in the Puno region of southern Peru have raised alarms over the potential impacts of a drought and the El Niño weather phenomenon on their operations. The sector reports that elevated temperatures and a lack of rain are beginning to affect both the quality of the milk and the volume of production that can be sustained in coming months.

Rudy Huichi Aguilar, a coordinator for dairy production in Puno, explained that a reduction in rainfall is expected to lead to a decreased availability of pastures and forage, critical for feeding cattle. If adverse weather conditions persist, this could result in lower yields from the herds, subsequently reducing milk production.

In addition to the challenges related to animal feed, there is growing concern over the deterioration in milk quality due to the high temperatures. The sector is facing issues such as inadequate infrastructure for milk storage and deficiencies in some milking systems, which complicate the preservation of milk under challenging climatic conditions.

In response to these threats, dairy producers have called for a collaborative effort involving the national government, regional authorities, municipalities, and industry organizations to mitigate the potential drought's impact. Key measures proposed include ensuring a steady supply of concentrated animal feed, promoting the storage of pastures and forage, preventing the mass sale of oat reserves, and reinforcing water sources to withstand prolonged dry periods.

Moreover, a new regulation aimed at strengthening the dairy sector in Peru has recently come into effect. This legislation mandates increased involvement of national, regional, and local institutions in the sector's development, particularly through programs focused on improving pasture production, forage management, and the productive advancement of dairy farming operations.