Characterization and efficiency of agroecosystems for a greater sustainability of Iberian pig production

El cerdo Ibérico ha estado vinculado tradicionalmente al agroecosistema de la dehesa mediante una producción extensiva. En las últimas décadas, la producción porcina Ibérica se ha transformado hacia un sistema más intensivo. La limitación de superficie de dehesa y la falta de rentabilidad de las explotaciones ganaderas han derivado en una sobreexplotación de este agroecosistema tan singular, amenazando el equilibrio existente entre la dehesa y la producción ganadera tradicional que se desarrolla. En la actualidad, la Unión Europea fomenta métodos de producción agrarios más sostenibles, los cuales se encuentran potenciados por una mayor concienciación de la sociedad hacia sistemas de producción más respetuosos con el medio ambiente y los animales. Dada la importancia del sector porcino Ibérico en nuestro país, resulta necesario la investigación de planes estratégicos en todo el circuito alimentario, desde la producción ganadera hasta los consumidores del producto final. Por ello, la búsqueda de mejoras desde un punto de vista ambiental, económico y social son primordiales para asegurar un futuro a largo plazo del sistema tradicional del cerdo Ibérico. Con esta premisa, esta tesis doctoral se presenta como un compendio de publicaciones en las que se evalúa de manera multidisciplinar el sistema de producción del cerdo Ibérico con el fin de alcanzar una producción porcina más sostenible. A través de herramientas de evaluación sistémica ha sido posible evaluar desde diferentes enfoques la sostenibilidad del sistema productivo del cerdo Ibérico, con el fin de formular estrategias para conseguir un efecto ambiental y socioeconómico positivo en este sistema ganadero tradicional. El establecimiento de una tipología de sistemas de porcino Ibérico actuales ha permitido caracterizar y evaluar comparativamente su capacidad de continuidad en el agroecosistema de la dehesa. Para ello, se cuantificó y evaluó el impacto ambiental de la producción porcina Ibérica a través del Análisis de Ciclo de Vida. Posteriormente, mediante un proceso de integración de diferentes variables se analizaron las diferencias y similitudes existentes entre los sistemas de engorde existentes en la dehesa. Además, el Análisis Envolvente de Datos permitió evaluar el nivel de ecoeficiencia en las ganaderías porcinas. Todo ello ha permitido identificar los procesos y prácticas ganaderas que optimizan la producción porcina desde un punto de vista técnico y ambiental, fortaleciendo la adopción de prácticas ganaderas más sostenibles a la vez que más competitivas. Finalmente se abordaron las preferencias de los consumidores con respecto a los productos cárnicos de origen porcino y se analizó el comportamiento de compra respecto a alimentos sostenibles en España con el objetivo de adaptar la producción porcina Ibérica a las demandas del mercado actual. Una producción porcina Ibérica más ligada a la tierra y con un manejo más tradicional, en el cual destaca un aprovechamiento óptimo de los recursos naturales disponibles en la dehesa, genera menos impactos ambientales y presenta una mayor ecoeficiencia. Las ganaderías de cerdo Ibérico orientadas hacia un sistema de ciclo cerrado son más sostenibles desde un punto de vista económico y ambiental. El uso combinado del engorde en montanera y cebo de campo constituye una estrategia adecuada para mejorar la sostenibilidad de la producción porcina debido a que optimiza la utilización de recursos naturales y aumenta la rentabilidad económica de las ganaderías. La gran mayoría de los consumidores no conocen el sistema productivo del cerdo Ibérico, así como prácticas de consumo más sostenibles, como un mayor grado de bienestar animal o sistemas de manejo extensivos, que son impulsores de una producción de cerdos Ibéricos más sostenible. Aun así, los consumidores muestran preferencia por los productos ibéricos con respecto a los productos porcinos procedentes de razas blancas comerciales.Iberian pig is linked to the dehesa ecosystem through livestock extensive production. In recent decades, Iberian pig production has been transformed towards a more intensive system. The limitation of dehesa hectares and the lack of profitability of Iberian pig farms have caused an overexploitation of the dehesa ecosystem. At present, European Union promotes a more sustainable agricultural production. Moreover, consumers increasingly prefer food from environmentally and animal-friendly production systems. Due to the importance of the Iberian pig sector in Spain, it is necessary to research strategic plans in the food supply chain from livestock production to consumers. Therefore, environmental, social and economic improvements in Iberian pig production are essential to ensure the long-term future of this traditional livestock. This PhD thesis is presented as a compilation of papers where a multidisciplinary evaluation of Iberian traditional pig production is carried out in order to achieve a more sustainable pig production. The sustainability of the Iberian pig production system has been evaluated through different tools to elaborate strategies to achieve a positive environmental and socio-economic effect on this traditional livestock system. Establishing a structural typology for the Iberian pig farms has facilitated the characterisation and evaluation of their capacity for continuity in the dehesa ecosystem. In addition, the environmental assessment of the Iberian traditional pig production was carried out through Life Cycle Assessment. Afterwards, multivariate analysis techniques were used to analyse differences and similarities in technical and environmental variables among fattening types in the dehesa ecosystem. In addition, Data Envelopment Analysis allowed to evaluate the eco-efficiency in Iberian pig farms. All these tools have identified farming practices that optimise Iberian pig production from a technical and environmental approach, promoting the implementation of more sustainable and competitive farming practices. In further analysis, consumer preferences for pork products were studied together with consumption patterns regarding sustainable food in Spain with the aim of adapting Iberian pig production to current market demands. Iberian pig production generates lower environmental impacts and presents a superior eco-efficiency by linking farm management to the dehesa ecosystem, showing an optimal use of natural resources. Iberian pig farms with farrow-to-finish orientation are more sustainable from an environmental and economic approach. The combined use of fattening montanera and cebo de campo is the optimal fattening strategy to improve the sustainability in Iberian traditional pig production by optimising the use of natural resources offered by the dehesa ecosystem and resulting in a more profitable pig production. The majority of consumers have a low level of knowledge of Iberian pig production, as well as more sustainable consumption practices. For instance, consumers have no knowledge about adding value to Iberian pig, as high welfare standards or an extensive farming, that are drivers for a more sustainable Iberian pig production. Even so, consumers show a preference for Iberian products over pork products from white pig breeds

Targeting environmental and technical parameters through eco-efficiency criteria for Iberian pig farms in the dehesa ecosystem

Eco-efficiency could be defined as the simultaneous ability to achieve acceptable economic results with the least possible environmental degradation. Its analysis in crop and livestock production systems has become a hot topic among politicians and scientists. Pig pasture production systems are in high commercial demand because they are associated with high quality and environmentally friendly products. This work aimed to assess the eco-efficiency of pig farms and subsequently explore the determinants of inefficiency in the dehesa ecosystem in the southwest of the Iberian Peninsula. Farmers from 35 randomly selected farms were interviewed to obtain farm-level data. The eco-efficiency level was calculated through a joined data envelopment analysis (DEA) and life cycle assessment (LCA) approach. Subsequently, a truncated Tobit model was applied to determine factors associated with inefficiency. The results of the research revealed that Iberian pig farms are highly eco-efficient. The estimated average eco-efficiency score is 0.919 and ranges from 0.479 to 1, suggesting that the average farm could increase its value by about 8.1%. This means that the aggregate environmental pressures could be reduced by approximately this proportion (8%) while maintaining the same input level. The determinants related to social and demographic characteristics that positively affected eco-efficiency were the number of children, while years of farm activity and educational level had a negative effect. On the other hand, farm’s characteristics and the type of management, the percentage of own surface area, the percentage of livestock use, and the high proportion of pigs fattened in montanera, positively affected the eco-efficiency level

Targeting Environmental and Technical Parameters through Eco-Efficiency Criteria for Iberian Pig Farms in the dehesa Ecosystem

Eco-efficiency could be defined as the simultaneous ability to achieve acceptable economic results with the least possible environmental degradation. Its analysis in crop and livestock production systems has become a hot topic among politicians and scientists. Pig pasture production systems are in high commercial demand because they are associated with high quality and environmentally friendly products. This work aimed to assess the eco-efficiency of pig farms and subsequently explore the determinants of inefficiency in the dehesa ecosystem in the southwest of the Iberian Peninsula. Farmers from 35 randomly selected farms were interviewed to obtain farm-level data. The eco-efficiency level was calculated through a joined data envelopment analysis (DEA) and life cycle assessment (LCA) approach. Subsequently, a truncated Tobit model was applied to determine factors associated with inefficiency. The results of the research revealed that Iberian pig farms are highly eco-efficient. The estimated average eco-efficiency score is 0.919 and ranges from 0.479 to 1, suggesting that the average farm could increase its value by about 8.1%. This means that the aggregate environmental pressures could be reduced by approximately this proportion (8%) while maintaining the same input level. The determinants related to social and demographic characteristics that positively affected eco-efficiency were the number of children, while years of farm activity and educational level had a negative effect. On the other hand, farm’s characteristics and the type of management, the percentage of own surface area, the percentage of livestock use, and the high proportion of pigs fattened in montanera, positively affected the eco-efficiency leve

Life Cycle Assessment of Iberian Traditional Pig Production System in Spain

Traditional Iberian pig production is characterized by outdoor systems that produce animals fed with natural resources. The aim of this study was to assess the environmental impacts of such systems through Life Cycle Assessment. Environmental impacts were analysed per kilogram of live weight at farm gate. Iberian pig production in montanera had the lowest impacts for climate change (CC), acidification (AC), eutrophication (EU) and cumulative energy demand (CED), being 3.4 kg CO2 eq, 0.091 molc H+ eq, 0.046 kg PO43− eq, and 20.7 MJ, respectively, due to the strict use of natural resources (acorns and grass) during the fattening period. As Iberian farms had a greater dependence on compound feed in cebo campo, environmental impacts on CC, AC, EU and CED were 22, 17, 95 and 28% higher, respectively, than with montanera. For land occupation (LO), however, cebo campo had a lower impact (31.6 m2·year) than montanera (43.0 m2·year) system. Traditional Iberian pig production systems have environmental impacts higher than conventional systems studied in literature but are similar to other traditional systems. Based on the present assessment, it is necessary to account for the contribution of emissions resulting from the consumption of natural resources to avoid the underestimation of environmental impacts.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Analysis of the Sustainability of Fattening Systems for Iberian Traditional Pig Production through a Technical and Environmental Approach

At present, two types of fattening are carried out in Iberian traditional pig production. The montanera is the fattening system where fatteners are fed on acorns and pasture in the dehesa, and cebo de campo is the fattening where the pigs are fed on compound feed and natural resources, mainly pasture. The aim of this paper is to analyze Iberian fattening production from an economic and environmental approach in order to identify fattening strategies to increase the sustainability of this traditional livestock activity. Based on technical-economic and environmental variables, the differences between Iberian farms according to the types of fattening were determined using discriminant analysis techniques. The model based on environmental variables showed a greater predictive ability than that found in the model based on technical-economic variables. Consequently, environmental variables can be used as reference points to classify the Iberian farms according to the type of fattening. Furthermore, canonical correlation analysis allowed to study the relationships between both sets of variables, showing that environmental values had a strong correlation with technical-economic variables. The results of this study show that it is possible to improve the sustainability of Iberian traditional pig production through fattening strategies in both types of fattening.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Understanding consumers' perceptions towards Iberian pig production and animal welfare

The Spanish market offers a greater variety of Iberian pork products. The aim of this paper is to determine the perception of consumers of several aspects of Iberian pig production and animal welfare depending on the consumers' characteristics. Consumers from two Spanish regions (n = 403) answered a questionnaire about their beliefs and the importance of pig production, their purchase intentions and their willingness to pay. Consumers were segmented according to their level of knowledge about Iberian pig production. The results of this work indicate that consumers have poor knowledge about Iberian pig production. Even so, consumers show a remarkable preference for Iberian products, especially when the animals are reared freely and in natural conditions, giving great importance to animal welfare. Consumer preferences indicate the importance of emphasizing Iberian traditional pig product characteristics on the label to promote their purchase choices

Exploring sustainable food choices factors and purchasing behavior in the sustainable development goals era in Spain

The aim of the present study was (1) to investigate what consumers include within the concept of food sustainability and its link with sustainable consumption, by identifying meaningful consumer typologies from the concept of food sustainability and food choice factors framed by SDG 12, and (2) to know how different farm systems attributes affecting purchase behavior are associated with such typologies. Consumers from two Spanish regions (n = 403) answered a paper questionnaire to know their degree of knowledge of sustainability, and beliefs, behavior, attitudes and preferences towards food sustainability, and the importance given to product characteristics and shopping practices. A principal component analysis was conducted to identify groups with similar answers, to average some of the questions before the final analysis of variance, which includes demographic classes as fixed effects. A cluster analysis using the most representative questions identified two clusters. cluster 1 (68.4%) responded to more sustainability-related attributes, and cluster 2 (31.5%) presented a less-expanded concept of sustainability. The origin of the product and quality certification (local, organic) was important for food purchase practices. The place of residence and gender differences of the consumers were the most influential factors. In the conjoint study, regarding the purchase of Iberian pork, cluster 1 remained unwilling to sacrifice outdoor systems and local breed at the expense of the price, in the case of the Iberian pig production. The most important demographic differentiator was the region of residence of the consumer. In conclusion, consumers are not aware of the wider aspects included in the sustainability concept. Moreover, the concept of sustainability elicits different meanings to the segments of the consumers identifie

Vocabulario de la sociedad civil, la ruralidad y los movimientos sociales en América Latina

El Vocabulario de la Sociedad Civil, la Ruralidad y los Movimientos Sociales en América Latina tiene como objetivo desarrollar vocablos relacionados con temas de gran trascendencia para la vida colectiva de la población Latinoamericana; pretende introducir a estudiantes, personas del ámbito académico y activistas en la comprensión de estas categorías de análisis. A través de la mirada de 70 especialistas que participaron en este vocabulario, es posible comprender muchos de los términos que se utilizan dentro de la investigación social y áreas relacionadas con las ciencias políticas, ambientales y rurales, a partir de una mayor explicación y detalle. Es por ello que se inserta este trabajo desde una mirada colectiva y amplia de los conceptos que se exponen. En este libro podrá encontrar las ideas de varios autores y autoras de distintas universidades, con una visión multi, inter y transdisciplinaria. El esfuerzo que se realizó para conjuntar varios términos y analizar su compleja red de interpretaciones, permitirá que este manuscrito pueda ser consultado por estudiantes, personas del ámbito científico-académico, y ciudadanía; porque contiene el estado del arte, la historia del paulatino avance de múltiples conceptos y su vigencia en el contexto actual

Life Cycle Assessment of Iberian Traditional Pig Production System in Spain

Traditional Iberian pig production is characterized by outdoor systems that produce animals fed with natural resources. The aim of this study was to assess the environmental impacts of such systems through Life Cycle Assessment. Environmental impacts were analysed per kilogram of live weight at farm gate. Iberian pig production in montanera had the lowest impacts for climate change (CC), acidification (AC), eutrophication (EU) and cumulative energy demand (CED), being 3.4 kg CO2 eq, 0.091 molc H+ eq, 0.046 kg PO4 3− eq, and 20.7 MJ, respectively, due to the strict use of natural resources (acorns and grass) during the fattening period. As Iberian farms had a greater dependence on compound feed in cebo campo, environmental impacts on CC, AC, EU and CED were 22, 17, 95 and 28% higher, respectively, than with montanera. For land occupation (LO), however, cebo campo had a lower impact (31.6 m2 ·year) than montanera (43.0 m2 ·year) system. Traditional Iberian pig production systems have environmental impacts higher than conventional systems studied in literature but are similar to other traditional systems. Based on the present assessment, it is necessary to account for the contribution of emissions resulting from the consumption of natural resources to avoid the underestimation of environmental impacts

Targeting Environmental and Technical Parameters through Eco-Efficiency Criteria for Iberian Pig Farms in the <i>dehesa</i> Ecosystem

Eco-efficiency could be defined as the simultaneous ability to achieve acceptable economic results with the least possible environmental degradation. Its analysis in crop and livestock production systems has become a hot topic among politicians and scientists. Pig pasture production systems are in high commercial demand because they are associated with high quality and environmentally friendly products. This work aimed to assess the eco-efficiency of pig farms and subsequently explore the determinants of inefficiency in the dehesa ecosystem in the southwest of the Iberian Peninsula. Farmers from 35 randomly selected farms were interviewed to obtain farm-level data. The eco-efficiency level was calculated through a joined data envelopment analysis (DEA) and life cycle assessment (LCA) approach. Subsequently, a truncated Tobit model was applied to determine factors associated with inefficiency. The results of the research revealed that Iberian pig farms are highly eco-efficient. The estimated average eco-efficiency score is 0.919 and ranges from 0.479 to 1, suggesting that the average farm could increase its value by about 8.1%. This means that the aggregate environmental pressures could be reduced by approximately this proportion (8%) while maintaining the same input level. The determinants related to social and demographic characteristics that positively affected eco-efficiency were the number of children, while years of farm activity and educational level had a negative effect. On the other hand, farm’s characteristics and the type of management, the percentage of own surface area, the percentage of livestock use, and the high proportion of pigs fattened in montanera, positively affected the eco-efficiency level