An integrated indicator to analyze sustainability in specialized dairy farms in Antioquia—Colombia

Abstract

An integrated sustainability indicator in specialized dairy index (IISLE) is proposed for the evaluation of these production systems in four dimensions (financial, technical, social, and environmental). This index was validated in a study carried out with information from 18 dairy farms in Antioquia, a Colombian milk production region. The analytic hierarchy process (AHP) method was applied to prioritize criteria and sub-criteria. According to the proposed dimensions, four criteria were established (financial (ISDF), technical (ISDT), social (ISDS), and environmental (ISDA)) and 30 sub-criteria were analyzed. A multiple correlation analysis was performed to determine the intensity of the relationship among these four criteria and the overall index. The methodology includes a cluster analysis for the calculated IISLE. R software was used in the analysis. The proposed indicator is a powerful and useful planning and control tool for the evaluation of sustainability levels in dairy farms and is highly influenced by financial and technical criteria.