Public-private Extension Strategy to enhance sustainability in family-owned dairy production

Abstract

Dairy production is based on family-owned businesses, where the producer is responsible for management, although not directly involved in milking. The complexity of the system, both internally and in its interactions with the environment, contributes to the annual decrease in the number of dairy farms. Therefore, dairy farmers need to acquire diverse skills to address heterogeneous issues. The objective was to implement a public-private extension strategy to address factors influencing dairy sustainability. The study was conducted from October 2019 in 15 dairy farms located in the southern basin of Santa Fe, within the Argentinean Pampas region, characterized by a temperate climate with a monsoon rainfall pattern. The soil conditions consist of soils with argillic horizons, loamy textures, and medium organic matter content. A participatory action research strategy was adopted to identify the problems present in the sample. Using prioritization grids, a timetable for addressing these issues was determined. This methodology allowed for organizing content, addressing daily conflicts affecting the producer, and proposing lines of work using various media, tools, audiences, and trainers. The result was the creation of a network that facilitated interaction between research, extension, and producers. Trained in addressing diverse and common problems in dairy enterprises, tools (such as vocational schools and retraining programs, youth Athenaeum) and media (face-to-face and virtual, theoretical and practical training, as well as communication through social media and farm visits) were articulated. The successful implementation of this feasible application strategy depends on the participation and commitment of the producer and their collaborators, the practical application of acquired knowledge, and the continuous updating of relevant topics. If embraced, this strategy can serve as valuable support for regional dairy farms.