Current Scenario

In 2023, India’s livestock sector emitted approximately 247.2 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent, significantly contributing to the country’s greenhouse gas emissions. Enteric fermentation in ruminant animals like cattle, sheep, and buffalo accounts for roughly 51% of the emissions from India’s agriculture sector. Cattle raised for both beef and milk production are major contributors. Methane produced from enteric fermentation, released through burps and belches, is a potent greenhouse gas. Addressing these emissions is crucial for India’s climate targets and sustainable development

Challenges

• Scale of Adoption: Scaling decarbonization solutions across numerous small and unorganized holdings is difficult.
• Access to Innovation: Small farmers often lack access to new technologies and innovations that could reduce emissions.
• Economic Constraints: Implementing new solutions can be costly, and small-scale farmers may not have the financial resources to adopt them.

Key technology

Feed and Feed Additives

• Seaweed Supplements: Adding seaweed to livestock feed can reduce methane emissions by up to 80%. Adoption of this solution on a large scale could have a significant impact.
• Probiotics and Enzymes: Using probiotics and enzymes in feed improves digestion and reduce methane production in the digestive system of livestock.
• Optimized Diets: Formulating diets that are more digestible can decrease methane emissions. For example, diets with higher fat content have been shown to reduce methane emissions.

Digital Monitoring and Control Tools

• Precision Livestock Farming (PLF): Digital tools and sensors monitor animal health and emissions in real-time, allowing for better management practices.
• Emission Tracking Software: Software solutions tracks and analyze methane emissions from livestock, helping farmers to implement targeted interventions.
• IoT Devices: Internet of Things (IoT) devices can provide data on livestock behavior and health, enabling more precise feeding and care, which can reduce emissions.

Alternative Protein Sources

• Plant-Based Meat: Developing and promoting plant-based meat alternatives can reduce the demand for livestock products, thereby decreasing emissions.
• Cultured Meat: Innovations in cell-based meat production can provide a sustainable alternative to traditional livestock farming, significantly reducing GHG emissions.

Breeding and Genetics

• Selective Breeding: Breeding livestock with lower methane emissions traits can gradually reduce the overall emissions from the livestock sector.
• Genetic Engineering: Advances in genetic engineering potentially produce livestock that emit less methane.

Case Studies 

Amul Dairy Cooperatives Climate-Smart Dairy Farming

• The program includes training farmers in improved feeding practices, efficient manure management, and the use of biogas plants. Amul also encourages the adoption of high-yield fodder crops and feed additives that reduce methane emissions.
• The program has reached thousands of farmers across Gujarat, leading to a 10-15% reduction in methane emissions and significant improvements in milk yield and farm income.

Karnataka Cooperative Milk Producers Federation (KMF)

• KMF introduced a pilot project where probiotics were added to the cattle feed. Probiotics improve gut health and digestion, thereby reducing methane production during enteric fermentation.
• The pilot project involved 1,000 dairy farmers across Karnataka. The results indicated a 10-15% reduction in methane emissions per animal.