Bulletin # 20 October 2020

The 12 live sessions, conducted through the virtual education tool Colanta Edu, provided training on milk production from professionals of Colanta's Milk Improvement and Quality and Technical Assistance. The training covered various aspects of milk production, including the "Sustainable Farm" chapter, which offered practical recommendations to minimize the environmental impact of dairy farming. Independent farmers from the Cesar department initiated cassava sales through the Colanta Alliance. In the municipality of Cesar, 32,790 kilograms of dried cassava were sold to the Colanta Itagüi Feed Plant for USD$ 6,728. This sale marked a significant step towards the Alliance's objective of strengthening rural economies through dried cassava production in the departments of Antioquia, Cesar, Córdoba, and Sucre. Milk receipts are now provided to dairy farmers when the transporter collects their product on the farm. The document contains the volume of milk received and the results of the initial analysis conducted by the transporter before loading the milk into the tank car. This analysis includes quantitative and qualitative acid tests, as well as organoleptic tests. Traditionally, receipts were filled out by hand, but the ARL system has enabled farmers to receive digital reports that contribute to the proper management of their records. The ARL system has streamlined the collection of milk receipts from dairy farms. This digital system has improved the efficiency of milk collection and has enabled farmers to access their records more easily. The system has also facilitated the proper management of milk production data, which is essential for making informed decisions about dairy farming operations. The Colanta Alliance has made significant progress in strengthening rural economies through dried cassava production and milk production. The program "Future Dairy Farmers" has provided training and support to young farmers, enabling them to adopt sustainable practices and improve their milk production. The Alliance's efforts have also led to the development of digital systems, such as the ARL system, which have improved the efficiency of milk collection and record-keeping.