Sanitary certification of small milk producers in Alto Putumayo: Analysis from the ecological model.

Abstract

In Colombia, milk production contributes significantly to food security; therefore, producers need to certify their farms through health programs that ensure the quality and safety of dairy products. This ethnomethodological study analyzed the certification of sanitary programs by small-scale dairy producers in the Alto Putumayo region, using Bronfenbrenner’s ecological model as an analytical framework. In-depth interviews were conducted with stakeholders involved in the production and commercialization of the dairy value chain. The findings, organized according to the levels of the ecological model, reveal various challenges. At the microsystem level, there is a notable lack of knowledge about zoonotic diseases; at the mesosystem level, low levels of producer association are identified; at the exosystem level, limited support and guidance from governmental institutions is evident; and at the macrosystem level, the negative impact of informal trade on dairy production and marketing is highlighted. These findings point to structural challenges that hinder access to sanitary certification, particularly in rural contexts. Addressing these issues through an integrated approach is essential to ensure that milk and dairy products are produced under adequate hygienic and sanitary conditions, thereby reducing public health risks, strengthening market confidence, and expanding commercialization opportunities for small-scale producers.