Agroecological Grazing Technologies and the Transition Towards Sustainable Buffalo Agroecosystems in the Venezuelan Low Tropics: An Approach to the Topic

Abstract

The industrialisation of livestock farming has resulted in the transformation of one quarter of the world’s land area into pastures, thus demonstrating the environmental impact of such practices. As the interest in buffalo farming (Bubalus bubalis L.) increases, there emerges a necessity to transition towards more sustainable buffalo production systems. This transformation represents a challenge due to the complexity inherent within agroecosystems, particularly in regions such as the Venezuelan low tropics, where agroecological sustainability has not been fully achieved. Within this context, agroecological grazing technologies emerge as essential components for achieving sustainability in buffalo farming, especially within non-extensive systems. These technologies offer alternative approaches to pasture management, integrating into strategies for sustainable agriculture that promote equitable, participative, and culturally appropriate development, whilst ensuring ecological security and economic viability. The expansion of the buffalo population and the potential for the development of buffalo farming in Venezuela highlight the importance of understanding the interaction between agroecological grazing technologies and agroecosystems in the process of achieving sustainability. This understanding is crucial for maximising the environmental, economic, and social benefits that buffalo farming can provide, both in Venezuela and in similar contexts elsewhere.