Producción no Convencional de Leche en Sistemas Lecheros Altoandinos del Ecuador

The problem of hunger not only demands an increase in food productivity but also overcoming the difficulties of distribution and sustainability. The Green Revolution model has intensified the use of resources without guaranteeing an increase in yield or food safety. The majority of highland dairy production systems in Ecuador operate under this model. Therefore, the objective is to identify key factors that allow for the design of a sustainability-oriented model. Experiences in organic and unconventional production in Papallacta, Cristóbal Colón, and Atapo-Palmira were systematized, identifying economic, environmental, and social factors through participant observation and interviews. The results indicate that economic factors include investment in acquiring and producing animals raised under the alternative model and implementing silvopastoral systems. Environmental factors include biodiversity recovery and soil management by replacing chemical fertilizers with organic ones to restore biological cycles. Social factors include the recovery of knowledge to manage diseases and apply ethnoveterinary practices. Associativity is essential for any production system. It is concluded that productivity remains the productive objective, but in the case of unconventional methods, safe products are obtained while aiming for sustainability.