Circular economy diagnosis of the agro-food chain of cheese from Chone, Manabí Province

Abstract

The Chone cheese agri-food chain faces challenges in terms of sustainability and resource efficiency. The production process generates waste and byproducts that, in many cases, are not properly utilized. Economically, although the activity is fundamental to the local economy, an adequate structure for incorporating circular economy practices that improve competitiveness and reduce the environmental footprint of production is still lacking. This circular economy assessment of the Chone cheese agri-food chain in the province of Manabí seeks to evaluate the practices and processes involved in the production, distribution, and consumption of cheese, and to identify opportunities to improve the sustainability and efficiency of resource use, from both environmental and socioeconomic perspectives. The milk produced by local farmers is a key input for cheese making. The quality of this milk depends on the agricultural practices employed in pasture production and livestock feeding. A key factor for the success of the circular economy is the level of awareness and knowledge about sustainable practices among producers, cooperatives, and consumers. The results showed that a lack of awareness and training on sustainable models is also a barrier to implementing these approaches.