Assessment of storage, quality, and value chains parameters in southern Ecuador milk production: a rural areas approach

Description: Assessment of parameters concerning milk production in a selected representative rural milk production area in the Southern region of Ecuador was carried out. The objetive was to investigate the state of conditions along the milk value chain in this particular area concerning the main factors influencing on production and quality of milk. A comprehensive data collection on issues pertaining to milk value chains performed at milk farmas as well as in ECOLAC, the sole dairy plant in the area managing the largest bulk volumes of milk produced in the region. Methods and practices carried out at collecting centres and at dairy plat level were also observed and relevant data concerning practices at field, farm, and plant level were gathered and analyzed to determine the state-of-the-art of features determining quality parameters on milk. Alongside, milk samples from farms were as well analyzed to determine its microbiological development. The results of the present work summed up to an evaluation on intrinsic climatic conditions in the zone are intended to be the foothold for the adaption of alternative methods to improve critic production steps such as refrigeration and cooling, this to maintain acceptable quality parameters as well as for enhancing production with potential higher volumes.

Get full text: http://repositorio.educacionsuperior.gob.ec/handle/28000/1923