Improvement of milk production systems on the Andean ecoregion of Ecuador

Dairying constitutes one method of land utilization in the Andean Ecoregion of Ecuador and is of value to promote the development of agriculture and cattle production. It possesses the characteristics of being efficient on a commercial scale, is owned by small-farm producers and generates a product with growing demand in modern society. Also, this activity is frequently performed on land which has limitations for other uses, particularly for growing annual crops, and in this way contributes directly to soil conservation since there is less risk of erosion of land covered by pasture herbage. This research seeks to contribute to the improvement of the income level of peasant communities of the Andean Ecoregion of Ecuador, by implementing options for animal production of minimum cost and risk of environmental impact. The project was carried out between January 1998 and December 2001 and encompassed the following activities: a) identification of restrictions on the systems, and technological innovations of low cost and risk; b) experimentation – validation of technological options; and c) training of technicians and producers and interinstitutional cooperation. The results obtained included average increases of 27% in milk production and 40% in net benefits due to the technological changes; and the area of improved pastures increased by 25%. The stocking rate went as high as 3.6 BAU/ha and daily weight gain of replacement animals as high as 0.7 kg. Additionally, the creation of modules for animal production in combination with multi-purpose trees and shrubs, based on minimum tillage practices for soil conservation, was stimulated