The livestock industry supports the livelihoods of one billion of the world’s poorest individuals. The “livestock revolution” in emerging nations is driving increased demand for livestock products.
However, factors such as climate change, competition for land and water, and food security challenges may negatively impact livestock output.
Impact of climate change on livestock:
- The Indian Council of Agricultural Research states that climate change-induced changes in pasture availability may decrease livestock carrying capacity by 10-40% by 2050.
- Higher temperatures and changing precipitation patterns cause heat stress in livestock, reducing output and increasing susceptibility to illness. Milk yield can decline by 3-20% or more, while conception rates may drop to 0% in severe situations.
- Indian research shows that temperature, humidity, and rainfall contribute to 52-84% of variations in the seasonality of Foot and Mouth disease in cattle in hyper-endemic regions. Altered rainfall patterns affect animal productivity, and diseases linked to moisture may increase.
- Heat stress in India’s cattle and buffaloes results in an annual loss of over Rs 2,700 crore. Additionally, it is estimated that milk production will be negatively impacted by 1.6 million tonnes in 2020 and over 15 million tonnes in 2050.
- Temperature, precipitation, drought, storms, and floods all influence fish farming, with both positive and negative effects. Certain species may be unable to tolerate altered conditions, while others may become viable alternatives.
Figure 1: Impact of climate change on livestock (Journal: Climate Risk Management)
Impact of livestock on climate change:
- According to the United Nations Environment Programme, when the complete food chain is considered, meat production accounts for 18–25% of global GHG emissions.
- As per FAO (2014), India is among the top six GHG-emitting countries, contributing 6% of global emissions. With the world’s largest cattle population, the livestock industry has expanded significantly due to increased meat and dairy consumption, identified as a major driver of climate change.
- Enteric methane emissions from Indian livestock make up approximately 15.1% of global emissions. Nitrous oxide emissions in livestock production result from animal waste management, fertilizer use for feed and fodder production, and leguminous feed crops.
- Indian agriculture accounts for 19% of GHG emissions, with cattle accounting for 54% and 2.7% from enteric and manure management, respectively. According to recent data, Belching cattle, buffaloes, sheep and goats in India emit an estimated 9.25 million tonnes (mt) to 14.2 mt of methane annually, out of a global total of 90 mt-plus from livestock.
Figure 2: Impact of livestock on climate change (Journal: Climate Risk Management)
Steps taken:
- Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has developed an anti-methanogenic feed supplement ‘Harit Dhara’ (HD), which can cut down cattle methane emissions by 17-20% and can also result in higher milk production.
- The National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture promotes improved agronomic practices, including soil health management, water use efficiency, judicious chemical use, crop diversification, and integrated farming systems. It aims to adopt location-specific approaches like crop-sericulture, agro-forestry, and fish farming for sustainable agriculture.
- The National Livestock Mission (NLM) aims to improve livestock production systems quantitatively and qualitatively while also increasing the capacity of all stakeholders. Since April 2019, the scheme has been implemented as a sub-scheme of the White Revolution – Rashtriya Pashudhan Vikas Yojana.
- The Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM) aims to improve indigenous cow breeds through breed improvement projects and the establishment of Kamdhenu Breeding Centres. These initiatives promote the preservation and enhancement of native breeds, which are well-suited to local conditions and have a lower environmental impact.
- The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy encourages the building of biogas facilities in livestock farms. Biogas generation provides a renewable source of energy but also helps to reduce methane emissions from livestock manure.
- The National Programme for Bovine Breeding and Dairy Development (NPBBDD) programme seeks to improve milk productivity, and breed quality, and promote scientific breeding and management practises in the dairy industry.
- Integrated farming techniques promote resource efficiency and reduce environmental impacts by combining crops, livestock, and other agricultural activities. These methods encourage the recycling of agricultural byproducts and the efficient use of resources.
