Integración de variables conductuales humanas como promotoras del bienestar animal en Costa Rica

Food production from animal sources is crucial for food security in human communities. To understand the sustainability component in livestock production, it is essential to incorporate the analysis of human behaviors related to the management practices of production animals. This could enhance the processes of raising awareness and educating new generations regarding the use of natural resources and the welfare of animals used forfood production. The aim of this review was to integrate action lines that promote animal welfare in Costa Rica through the analysis of human behavioral variables related to livestock practices and the cultural contexts of livestock workers. The background concerning the emergence of animal welfare concerns within food production systems is reviewed. An interdisciplinary literature review was conducted, covering animal production processes from a context of agro-food sciences, natural sciences, and psychology. Therefore, the document analyzes perspectives that shape prohibitions aimed at ensuring animal welfare and presents a position on the importance of studying human psychological variables and their influence on the management of productive species. Animal welfare is linked to the productivity of livestock systems, and raising awareness among those involved in these activities are key to making livestock food production systems to be more efficient and sustainable. Therefore, the integration of psychological and contextual variables is essential to improving these production systems.