Spatial Distribution and Sources of Growth of Dairy Farming in the State of Pará, Brazil

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The article starts off with a sweeping claim: “The production of milk and dairy products is essential for human nutrition, as it provides nutrients such as proteins, vitamins and minerals, especially calcium. In this way, they contribute to growth and can form part of diets that provide a healthy life for consumers.”

However, the health benefits of dairy have been widely contested, as well as the environmental damage caused by the dairy industry and the animal welfare concerns that are widely known.  The article does not address any of these issues and has a weak starting point.

In addition, the article does not justify why dairy production should be promoted and continued, especially in light of negative growth rates. Given the negative grpwth rates in many regions, it would be interesting to understand better the reasons behind the decline in production and whether farmers should and could be assisted in transitioning away from the dairy industry to more economically and environmentally viable food production methods, for example to plant-based alternatives.

While the article demonstrates a good grasp on the empirical data used, it's findings remain rather descriptive in nature, without providing sound evidence on why the dairy industry should be supported as a sustainable food production system. Given the negative impacts of the dairy industry globally the authors would do well in addressing this critique and coherently arguing for why, if they see that despite the negative impacts of the dairy industry, it should be supported as a viable food production system for a sustainable future.

Author Response

Dear Reviewers,

We apologize for the delay. We had a problem in the group.

We agree with all suggestions and corrections. Accordingly, our manuscript was largely altered.

We compress the information and try to meet the recommendations.

To avoid doubts, I explain:

Our research, like others in this line, aims to characterize a production chain (milk). This characterization shows information far beyond that commonly disclosed, and serves as a basis for policies to be implemented.

The state of Pará, due to its location (Amazon region), needs to have livestock growth aligned with science and serious policies. This disclosure also serves to support the Amazon region and sustainability, as we do not want disorderly growth.

 Reviewer 1:

1 - The article starts off with a sweeping claim: “The production of milk and dairy products is essential for human nutrition, as it provides nutrients such as proteins, vitamins and minerals, especially calcium. In this way, they contribute to growth and can form part of diets that provide a healthy life for consumers.”

However, the health benefits of dairy have been widely contested, as well as the environmental damage caused by the dairy industry and the animal welfare concerns that are widely known.  The article does not address any of these issues and has a weak starting point.

R- Starting point changed:

Rich in calcium, vitamins and proteins, milk is the most consumed food in the world (FAO, 2022). Therefore, its production chain has high socioeconomic importance in generating jobs and income. In Brazil, the third largest dairy producer in the world, it is estimated that 4 million workers are involved throughout the chain, which produced approximately 35.3 billion liters in 2021 (FAO, 2022).

2 - In addition, the article does not justify why dairy production should be promoted and continued, especially in light of negative growth rates. Given the negative grpwth rates in many regions, it would be interesting to understand better the reasons behind the decline in production and whether farmers should and could be assisted in transitioning away from the dairy industry to more economically and environmentally viable food production methods, for example to plant-based alternatives.

R- Production must be continued to meet global demand and promote employment and income for the population.

The work will elucidate the points where there should be improvement. In this way, subsidizing public and private policies in the development of these areas, aided by new technologies where there is care for the environment.

The objective: 1) identify the spatial concentration of production to ascertain the existence of hubs specialized in milk production; 2) evaluate the sources of growth in dairy farming in the microregions of Pará, with the purpose of verifying the participation in growth of the herd expansion effect and productivity effect.

 

1) The identification of centers specializing in milk production shows where technology is already applied to production. It also shows where the dairy industry should transition to more viable food production methods from an economic and environmental point of view, using new technologies.

2) Evaluating the expansion and productivity of herds is also a key point in improvement. This information is important in the search for smaller and more productive herds. This also reduces the need for large areas. Starting point for reducing the size of herds, increasing efficiency and sustainability, with a reduction in the need for area, use of co-products in food, intensification of the system and genetic improvement of herds with increased production.

3 - While the article demonstrates a good grasp on the empirical data used, it's findings remain rather descriptive in nature, without providing sound evidence on why the dairy industry should be supported as a sustainable food production system. Given the negative impacts of the dairy industry globally the authors would do well in addressing this critique and coherently arguing for why, if they see that despite the negative impacts of the dairy industry, it should be supported as a viable food production system for a sustainable future.

R- The descriptive conclusion is exactly our idea. In this way, it makes it clear and serves as a basis for readers, potential investors (public and private policy), when making decisions. It also serves as a basis for other researchers.

The impacts of the dairy industry can be reduced with the use of technology. Research must characterize systems. This serves as a basis for further research and the implementation of more productive and environmentally friendly systems.

** We are happy and satisfied with the contributions. We will be faster in responding! We are willing to continue with improvements.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Comments for author File: Comments.pdf

Author Response

Dear Reviewers,

 

We apologize for the delay. We had a problem in the group.

We agree with all suggestions and corrections. Accordingly, our manuscript was largely altered.

We compress the information and try to meet the recommendations.

 

To avoid doubts, I explain:

Our research, like others in this line, aims to characterize a production chain (milk). This characterization shows information far beyond that commonly disclosed, and serves as a basis for policies to be implemented.

The state of Pará, due to its location (Amazon region), needs to have livestock growth aligned with science and serious policies. This disclosure also serves to support the Amazon region and sustainability, as we do not want disorderly growth.

Reviewer 2:

Abstract:

1- The abstract is too long, please minimize it as possible as you can.

2- From lines 21 to 32, this content would better be moved to the introduction part

and replaced with some information about the data used and how to divide and analyze it.

3- herd milked and financial movement, please add (,) before and to be (herd milked,

and financial movement).

R- Summary has been rewritten.

The characterization of dairy farming is fundamental for the sector, as it directs institutional and public policy actions for the development of the production chain. The objective was to highlight and analyze two points: the spatial concentration of production and the existence of centers specialized in milk production; the sources of growth in dairy farming in the microregions of Pará, and their participation in the growth and productivity of the herd. Regarding specialization in milk production, in the initial year of the study there were nine, and in the final year, only six qualified (Parauapebas, Marabá, Tucuruí, Redenção, São Félix do Xingu and Altamira). The Southeast of Pará is the main dairy hub in the state, and encompasses municipalities with a tradition in dairy farming, such as Água Azul do Norte, the largest state producer since 2012. The increase in national production between 1990 and 2020, showed an increase in state production of 3 23% per year, with a greater contribution from herd productivity gains, but ten micro-regions showed a negative average annual growth rate (Northeast of Pará, Marajó and Metropolitan Region of Belém). The twelve microregions with positive annual rates are located in the Southeast Pará, Southwest Pará and Lower Amazonas mesoregions, nine associated with intensive growth and three more linked to extensive growth. The results show that the specialized regions are more articulated, have greater production, a larger milked herd and financial turnover. Through analysis, it is possible to obtain a better understanding of the regional growth process, as the information and particularities of properties are essential for guiding public and private institutions on the reality, enabling readjustment and new policies with the aim of alleviating producers' limitations. , increase growth and reduce intra- and inter-regional imbalances.

Keywords: Well written

R - thank you!

Introduction:

1- The introduction needs to be summarized.

2-From lines 67-75, I think that this information is out of place since you are talking

about a specific state (Para), so we must focus on it and on production in it in the last ten years.

3- Please write more about different methods which help in the growth in milk

production and what is the feedback of these methods on milk production traits.

R – We rewrote the introduction. We try to consider all suggestions. It really was big and tiring.

“Rich in calcium, vitamins and proteins, milk is the most consumed food in the world (FAO, 2022). In this way, its production chain has high socioeconomic importance with the generation of jobs and income. In Brazil, the third largest dairy producer in the world, it is estimated that 4 million workers are involved throughout the chain, which produced approximately 35.3 billion liters in 2021 (FAO, 2022)…

Materials and methods:

1- The research was based on the collection of secondary data from the Brazilian

Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE), with information from the 2006 and

2017. What is the type of information?

R - IBGE is the country's main data and information provider. Its information meets the needs of the most diverse segments of society, federal, state and municipal government bodies.

Our research, with the eyes of researchers and specialists, sought to gather some data, so that information on the topic becomes clearer and really helps to make changes.

2- Please move the 2 paragraphs from line 128 to line 136 to introduction section.

2- Lines 142 and 143 include repeated data please delete it.

4- Please summarize the paragraphs in which you talk about QL.

5- The methods are so long; it seems like a review and the statistical methods used in the current work are not clear.

6- Please rewrite the methodology focusing on the data content and your innovation in

its analysis

R – The methodology was rewritten. Excess information was removed.

Results:

1- Please rewrite the results after data modification, results are not clear.

2- Lines 319-335 should move to the discussion section.

3- If you want to cite any author's work or compare your work with others you have to

do that in the discussion section.

R - Session “3” corresponds to results and discussion. The topic has been changed.

Discussion:

You ordered results as 3 and after that conclusion as 4, where is the discussion part?

R - Session “3” corresponds to results and discussion. The topic has been changed.

 

Conclusion:

Not good, please display the main findings of the current study. I feel that you repeat

the introduction again.

R - It was completely rewritten. The intention is to make the findings clear and draw attention to what growth should look like (combined with technologies, the environment and sustainability).

 

References:

Need to be updated with new references which discuss this matter out of the country

of the work

R - Some references have been updated.

** We are happy and satisfied with the contributions. We will be faster in responding! We are willing to continue with improvements.

 

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Round 2

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Thank you for the comments and changes made to the article. While the article has been developed further, the main premise upon which it rests (that dairy should continue to be subsidized and consumed) has not been sufficiently argued, especially taking into consideration the evidence that states the contrary: that the dairy industry is in fact an unsustainable industry and shifts should be made to alternative forms of food production. For the article's arguments and premise to have more legitimacy beyond its immediate audience I would advise the authors to take the evidence in support of transitioning away from the dairy industry instead of investing in its growth seriously and address it in their argument.

Author Response

Dear Reviewers,

We are happy and satisfied with the suggested changes made to the manuscript. It really is good better now.

We try to respond to all questions and corrections.

 

The authors point out that dairy products should continue to be subsidized and consumed. However, the arguments supporting this premise are not strong enough, especially given the evidence to the contrary: that the dairy industry is, in fact, an unsustainable industry and changes must be made to alternative forms of food production. In order for the article's arguments and premises to have more legitimacy beyond its immediate audience, I would advise the authors to take advantage of the evidence supporting the dairy industry's transition, rather than seriously investing in its growth, and to address the issue in their arguments. .

Please check and rewrite the results and discussion. You have to separate the two sections. You have to discuss your results well. The discussion is very long, please summarize.

Authors: The sections (Results and Discussion) were separated, as well as their rewriting.

Additionally, “.” by “,” and vice versa, in numerical values, when necessary.

The authors point out that dairy products should continue to be subsidized and consumed. However, the arguments supporting this premise are not strong enough, especially given the evidence to the contrary: that the dairy industry is, in fact, an unsustainable industry and changes must be made to alternative forms of food production. In order for the article's arguments and premises to have more legitimacy beyond its immediate audience, I would advise the authors to take advantage of the evidence supporting the dairy industry's transition, rather than seriously investing in its growth, and to address the issue in their arguments. .

Please check and rewrite the results and discussion. You have to separate the two sections. You have to discuss your results well. The discussion is very long, please summarize.

Authors: The sections (Results and Discussion) were separated, as well as their rewriting.

Additionally, “.” by “,” and vice versa, in numerical values, when necessary.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Please check and rewrite the results and discussion. You have to separate the two sections. You have to discuss your results well. Discussion is too long, please summarize it.

Author Response

Caros revisores,

Estamos felizes e satisfeitos com as alterações sugeridas no manuscrito. Realmente está bom, melhor agora.

Tentamos responder a todas as perguntas e correções.

 

Os autores salientam que os produtos lácteos devem continuar a ser subsidiados e consumidos. No entanto, os argumentos que apoiam esta premissa não são suficientemente fortes, especialmente tendo em conta as provas em contrário: que a indústria dos lacticínios é, de facto, uma indústria insustentável e que devem ser feitas mudanças em formas alternativas de produção alimentar. Para que os argumentos e premissas do artigo tenham mais legitimidade para além do seu público imediato, aconselho os autores a aproveitarem as evidências que apoiam a transição da indústria leiteira, em vez de investirem seriamente no seu crescimento, e a abordarem a questão nos seus argumentos. . .

Por favor, verifique e reescreva os resultados e a discussão. Você tem que separar as duas seções. Você tem que discutir bem seus resultados. A discussão é muito longa, por favor, resuma.

Autores : As seções (Resultados e Discussão) foram separadas, bem como sua reescrita.

Adicionalmente, "." por “,” e vice-versa, em valores numéricos, quando necessário.

Os autores salientam que os produtos lácteos devem continuar a ser subsidiados e consumidos. No entanto, os argumentos que apoiam esta premissa não são suficientemente fortes, especialmente tendo em conta as provas em contrário: que a indústria dos lacticínios é, de facto, uma indústria insustentável e que devem ser feitas mudanças em formas alternativas de produção alimentar. Para que os argumentos e premissas do artigo tenham mais legitimidade para além do seu público imediato, aconselho os autores a aproveitarem as evidências que apoiam a transição da indústria leiteira, em vez de investirem seriamente no seu crescimento, e a abordarem a questão nos seus argumentos. . .

Por favor, verifique e reescreva os resultados e a discussão. Você tem que separar as duas seções. Você tem que discutir bem seus resultados. A discussão é muito longa, por favor, resuma.

Autores: As seções (Resultados e Discussão) foram separadas, bem como sua reescrita.

Adicionalmente, "." por “,” e vice-versa, em valores numéricos, quando necessário.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Round 3

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

No comments