Production Systems and Environmental and Socioeconomic Sustainability: Comparison Between Dairy Farms in Minas Gerais

Abstract

Objective: Analyse the differences in sustainability performance between pasture and confined dairy farms located south of Minas Gerais state. Theoretical framework: It is observed in the literature that the effects of the intensification of dairy production on the three pillars of sustainability are not completely clear, depending on specific locations of production systems and requiring further studies. Method: The performance of six properties in the pasture system and six properties in the confined system was analysed using the Sustainability Indicator in Agro ecosystems (ISA), which uses a set of 21 other indicators grouped into seven sub-indexes involving socioeconomic and environmental dimensions. Results and conclusion: Environmental balance was the dimension with the lowest average final index of the 12 properties; this is explained probably by producers' increased attention to economic and social issues, especially concerning labour inspection. Environmental issues, even with the high interest of society in recent years, do not receive attention with the same intensity as others. Comparing the indicators of the two production systems, productivity was the only one that presented a statistically significant difference, using the Mann-Whitney U test. Research implications: With the survey for calculating the indicators, it was possible to understand the relationship between productivity and socioeconomic and environmental sustainability, in addition to presenting solutions to improve the adequacy of the properties, with actions that will mitigate the vulnerabilities of the properties studied. Originality/value: A better understanding of the effects of increased productivity on the socioeconomic and environmental sustainability of dairy farms.