Environmental issues in the dairy industry: farm level assessment
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Transcript of Environmental issues in the dairy industry: farm level assessment
Environmental issues in the dairy industry: farm level assessment
Dr. Asaah NdambiInternational Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Nairobi - Kenya
ESADA Conference25th September 2015
"Climate change is the most severe problem that we are facing today, more serious even than the
threat of terrorism."
-- David King
The Foreign Secretary's Special Representative for Climate Change, UK
Outline
1. Climate change effects on the environment
2. Dairy production vs climate change
3. How to produce milk while caring for the environment
Climate change is real – Africa is most affected
Temperatures: By 2050, average temperatures in Africa are predicted to increase by 1.5 to 3°C, and will continue further upwards beyond this time. Drier subtropical regions will warm more than the moister tropics.
Ecosystems: It is estimated that, by the 2080s, the proportion of arid and semi-arid lands in Africa is likely to increase by 5-8%. Between 25 and 40% of mammal species in national parks in sub-Saharan Africa will become endangered.
Rainfall: There will be major changes in rainfall in annual and seasonal trends, and extreme events of flood and drought. 32% of global water is used for feed production
What happens if we keep doing as we have been doing?
The length of growing season: a key threat
Source: IFPRI 2014
Agriculture: Crop yields from rain-fed agriculture would be reduced and crop net revenues could fall by as much as 90% by 2100, with small-scale farmers being the most affected. 33% of agricultural land is used for feed production
Sea-level rise: Towards the end of the 21st century, projected sea level rise will affect low-lying coastal areas in Africa with large populations.The projection that sea-level rise could increase flooding, particularly on the coasts of Eastern Africa, will have implications for health.
Energy: Only 8% of rural populations in Africa have access to electricity. 80% of the overall African population relies primarily on biomass to meet its energy requirements in sub-Saharan Africa.This gives more pressure on forests and increases environmental issues
Climate change is real
Proof of global warming
Outline
1. Climate change effects on the environment
2. Dairy production vs climate change
3. How to produce milk while caring for the environment
The big question
Is it climate change that affects dairy production or its dairy production that affects climate change?
How dairy production affects the environment
-Feed production, processing and transportation, deforestation, etc.
-Overgrazing-Enteric emissions-Manure (emissions, water pollution, odors)
Source: Chatham House based on FAO (2013)
Source: GLEAM
Global estimate of emissions by species
86%
Emission sources for dairy cattle
How climate change affects dairy production
How does climate change affect dairy production- Shortening of growing seasons less feed- Water scarcity and droughts less feed- Floods and crop spoilage- High temperatures, heat stress
Two facts we must live with
1. Population growth: Africa has the highest population growth rates in the world and this will continue throughout the century
We need to produce more milk, but must be sustainable
2. Consumption growth Total consumption of meat and dairy products will increase in Africa due to increasing population and growing consumption per capita
Outline
1. Recent environmental trends
2. Dairy production vs climate change
3. How to produce enough milk while caring for the environment
Adaptation
Mitigation
“Mazingira” state of the art environmental research center at ILRI
Accurate greenhouse gas emissions
Socio-economic impacts
Monitoring land degradation, soil fertility, hydrology
Experimental programs: feed, forage vs environment
Capacity building, mentoring, advise to governments
Adaptation approaches for dairy systems
Adaptation approaches include:
1. Increasing system resilience Enhancing production systems to face climate change (eg. water capturing, herd management, sequential cropping, genetic improvement, manure management, etc.)
2. Diversification Expanding the activities on the farm, exploring other possibilities outside the farm (eco-tourism, mixed farming, feed production, biogas production)
3. Risk management Taking measures beforehand to reduce risk (eg. insurance, weather forecasts, expansion of farmland, preservation feed, etc.)
Mitigation approaches
Enteric Fermentation Increase production efficiency Decrease the number of animals Improve nutrition Effects of local by-product supplementation on cost of
milk production and GHG emissions
Alqaisi et al 2014
More local feed
Lower costs
Lower emissions
emissions
Soil
Cycle principle
AnimalsExcretions
Nutrien
ts &
Organic
matt
er
Animal
Feed
Nutrients
Crops
Manure
outputs
inputs
inputs
Increase efficiency
reduces emissions
reduces need inputs
Manure management
TreatmentCollection Storage Application
Solid manure
Liquid manure
Deep litter
Composting
BiogasHeap
Pit
Silo
Spread-ing
Spot application
Injection
Integrated manure management
Dehydration
Manure is like money
Accumulated it’s a problemWell spread it’s a blessing
You need itto keep the system going!
Don’t waste it!
Thank you! Asante!
Photo: Oxfarm international