Sustainable livestock farming and efficient management of natural resources in rural areas
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Livestock farming in rural Latin America faces the challenge of sustaining its economic and food-security contribution while reducing soil degradation, water pressure, biodiversity loss, and emissions associated with low-efficiency extensive models. The objective of this article was to analyze the relationship between sustainable livestock farming and efficient natural resource management, considering practices, productivity, costs, income, and environmental impacts. The methodology consisted of an exploratory, qualitative, and documentary literature review focused on scientific and technical literature published between 2013 and 2026, organized through inclusion criteria, an extraction matrix, and thematic coding. The results show that silvopastoral systems, rotational grazing, restoration of degraded pastures, protection of water sources, live fences, and adjustment of stocking rates promote productivity, reduce pressure on ecosystems, and improve the efficiency of soil, water, and biomass use, although financial, technical, institutional, and market barriers persist. The discussion suggests that sustainability does not depend on isolated practices, but on their ecological suitability, continuity, and territorial governance. It is concluded that sustainable livestock farming represents a viable rural transition, provided that it integrates profitability, conservation, technical assistance, and the inclusion of small-scale producers.
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