This has been an ongoing problem for Panama.  One day the government will get smart and subsidize concentrated dairy operations as they do with small farm investments.  We are talking about $10,000,000 for an average size operation but with a few of these, Panama would be self sufficient.

The annual shortfall of milk in the country, where local production only reaches 200 million, has been estimated at 100 million liters.

Local producers of milk and meat argue that one of the main reasons is the fact that not all of the dairy herd is currently producing, because “…. during the recent dry season many cows were sold“. However, there are more fundamental reasons that explain the shortfall in a country that consumes 300 million liters of milk every year.

Prensa.com reports that “… Ranchers are warning there is a need to make timely decisions so that the livestock sector does not go back to recording losses economically or in terms of animals. Investment in irrigation, promoting sustainable livestock and supporting producers with agricultural loans which do not have high interest rates, are some of the measures demanded by local farmers to promote the sector.”

“… ‘ It is essential to invest in a quality irrigation system and also support livestock producers with loans that benefit rather than harm them,” said Luis Martinez, producer of meat and milk from the Azuero region.”