COMPARISON OF SUSTAINABILITY BETWEEN THE DUAL-PURPOSE SYSTEM AND THE SILVOPASTORAL SYSTEM IN THE ZOQUE REGION OF THE STATE OF CHIAPAS

Abstract

Background. Livestock farming faces challenges to continue to grow due to the demand for food, as well as to implement sustainable systems. SGBDPs and SSPs produce milk and meat in tropical conditions and are fundamental for the development of rural communities and environmental conservation. Objective. To use the IDEA method in the analysis of the dimensions of livestock systems (LS), allowing an objective assessment of sustainability.

Methodology. The evaluation was carried out in 24 are SSP and 13 SGBDP of the Valle Zoque region of Chiapas, Mexico using the IDEA method, the resulting indicators were analysed with the IBM SPSS statistical package determining their normality, association and difference of the values obtained. Results. Sustainability in the SSPs is determined by the socio-territorial scale (54.26), in the SGBDPs the influence of the economic scale predominates (48.92). Statistically there are no significant differences in sustainability indicators between the two systems.

Implications. Although the SGs studied have similar levels, sustainability is determined by different factors. This divergence indicates that while SSPs prioritise holistic sustainability through agroecological synergies, SGBDPs face the challenge of balancing profitability with environmentally responsible practices.

Conclusions. The absence of significant differences in sustainability denotes that management practices are determinants of sustainability management in SGs. More research is needed to assess the sustainability of UPPs, to implement public policies that regulate the responsible use of natural resources and the transfer of technologies that promote more sustainable livestock systems.