Characterization of dairy production systems in the parish Juan Benigno Vela, Tungurahua, Ecuador

Abstract

This study characterized the existing dairy production systems in the rural parish of Juan Benigno Vela, using qualitative and quantitative information simultaneously, considering production indicators, level of technology on the farms, management and composition of the dairy herd. The survey was applied as a research tool to a total of 90 dairy farmers on their farms, who were selected by stratified random sampling, considering the existing database of the FMD vaccination campaign in the period 2021 - 2. For the statistical analysis of the data, descriptive statistics and analysis using three multivariate statistical analysis techniques were used. Principal component analysis, multiple correspondence analysis and cluster analysis. The existence of three productive systems was determined, characterized by the extension of the area destined to cattle raising, the number of animals, the reproduction technology used, as well as the technification for the milking of the cows in production, identifying that the production in the rural zone of Tungurahua is extensive and in some cases semi-intensive, without reaching the parameters of an intensive exploitation.