Estimation of Livestock Methane Emissions in the Extensive Crop-Livestock Farming Areas of Bale Highland, Oromia, Ethiopia

Abstract

The study was conducted in the potential mixed farming areas of Bale highland to estimate livestock methane emissions. Using multi-stage purposive sampling, 156 households of the three wealth groups were selected based on their livelihood assets as described under methodology. Structured questionnaires, focus group discussions, key informants interview and field visits were the employed methods during the study. Feed nutrient balance was estimated based on the demand and supply while the livestock methane emissions were estimated according to the IPCC guidelines. Descriptive statistics and one-way ANOVA tests were used to analyze the data. Cattle were the dominant (84.25%) livestock owned by the households. The estimated enteric CH4 emission rate from mature cattle, growing cattle, sheep >1 year, sheep ≤ 1 year, horse and donkey were significantly (P<0.001) higher for the better wealth group while mature cattle (69.78%) shared the highest rate. Though, higher emission rates credited to the large number of animals in the area, cattle stay crucial to the livelihoods of the households, beside the major sources of CH4. In conclusion, the estimated CH4 emissions should be focus areas of interventions. Therefore, proper husbandry and quality feed supply and promotion of farm level livestock technologies should be practiced wisely to increase productivity and protect the environment from emissions of the livestock sector.

Effects of nutrients supply on milk yield, composition, and enteric methane gas emissions from smallholder dairy farms in Rwanda

“…The emission factor (EF) factor values reported in this study were lower than 99.37 Kg of CH4/year for dairy cattle reported in South Africa (Moeletsi et al, 2017) because the cows were heavier and more productive than the ones in the current study. However, the values in this study (51.72 to 66.58 Kg) were higher than the values reported in studies carried out in Nyando and Nandi Counties of Kenya and in Ethiopia (Goopy et al, 2018;Defar et al, 2018;Ndung'u et al, 2019). In Nyando County, the mean EF values for adult females were 34.1, 26.7, and 27.1 Kg for highlands, lowlands, and slopes topographic zones respectively (Goopy et al, 2018).…”

Calculation of new enteric methane emission factors for small ruminants in western Kenya highlights the heterogeneity of smallholder production systems

“…2), both due to lower numbers and per capita biomass. In this respect, our findings were not dissimilar to those of recent studies in Ethiopia, which attributed 92% of total livestock GHG emissions to cattle (Defar et al 2018). These results suggest that current modelling and estimates may overstate the importance of the contribution of SR to total livestock emissions in SSA (Herrero et al 2008;Herrero et al 2013), which suggest 15-25% of livestock-generated GHG across Africa are attributable to sheep and goats.…”

“…Defar et al 2018;Svinurai et al 2018). However, heterogeneity and seasonality of feed supply are hallmarks of livestock raising in the rain-fed smallholder farming of East Africa, which these approaches arguably fail to capture.…”

Valuation of livestock population and national feed security to enhance livestock productivity in Ethiopia

“…According to Aynalem et al (2011) and Getahun (2012), low productivity is primarily caused by ineffective nutritional and management practices, low genetic potential of livestock, a high incidence of disease and parasites, poor access to extension and credit services and a lack of knowledge to improve animal performance (Birhan & Adugna, 2014;Defar, 2018).…”

“…In order to achieve development goals, it is crucial to understand agricultural systems, prioritize issues and address unique local or regional obstacles. Ethiopia's livestock industry struggles due to inadequate feed quality, which accounts for 60%–70% of production costs (Birhan & Adugna, 2014 ; Defar, 2018 ). Suresh et al.…”