Introduction

The world is facing an urgent need to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to prevent catastrophic climate change. The agriculture sector is a significant contributor to GHG emissions, accounting for about 14.5% of global emissions. The raising of sheep and goats is a vital sub-sector of agriculture, providing meat, milk, and wool to millions of people worldwide. However, it is also a significant source of carbon emissions, mainly due to enteric fermentation, manure management, and energy use. This article explores the concept of decarbonisation in the raising of sheep and goats sector, its importance, sources of carbon emissions, ways to reduce emissions, challenges, and implications.

What is Decarbonisation in Raising of Sheep and Goats Sector and Why is it Important?

Decarbonisation refers to the process of reducing carbon emissions from various sources, such as transportation, energy production, and agriculture. In the raising of sheep and goats sector, decarbonisation involves reducing emissions from enteric fermentation, manure management, and energy use. The importance of decarbonisation in this sector lies in its contribution to global GHG emissions and climate change. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the raising of sheep and goats accounts for about 3% of global GHG emissions. Therefore, reducing emissions in this sector can contribute to achieving global climate goals and sustainability.

Main Sources of Carbon Emissions in Raising of Sheep and Goats Sector

The raising of sheep and goats is a significant source of carbon emissions due to various activities, including enteric fermentation, manure management, and energy use. Enteric fermentation is the process by which ruminant animals digest food, leading to the production of methane, a potent GHG. Sheep and goats produce about 4-5% of global methane emissions, mainly due to their unique digestive system. Manure management is another significant source of emissions in this sector, as manure produces methane and nitrous oxide during decomposition. Energy use, such as electricity and fuel, also contributes to emissions in the raising of sheep and goats sector, mainly in the form of fossil fuel combustion.

How to Reduce Carbon Emissions in Raising of Sheep and Goats Sector

Reducing carbon emissions in the raising of sheep and goats sector requires a combination of mitigation and adaptation measures. Mitigation measures aim to reduce emissions, while adaptation measures aim to cope with the impacts of climate change. The following are some ways to reduce carbon emissions in this sector:

1. Improved feeding and breeding practices: Feeding sheep and goats with high-quality forage and reducing the use of concentrates can reduce emissions from enteric fermentation. Breeding animals with lower methane emissions can also help reduce emissions.
2. Manure management: Proper manure management, such as composting and anaerobic digestion, can reduce emissions from manure decomposition and produce biogas for energy use.
3. Renewable energy: Using renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power, can reduce emissions from energy use in this sector.
4. Improved animal health: Reducing the incidence of diseases in sheep and goats can improve their productivity and reduce emissions from enteric fermentation.
5. Sustainable land use: Adopting sustainable land use practices, such as agroforestry and conservation agriculture, can reduce emissions from land use change and improve soil health.

Challenges Facing Decarbonisation in Raising of Sheep and Goats Sector

Decarbonisation in the raising of sheep and goats sector faces several challenges, including:

1. Limited knowledge and awareness: Many farmers lack knowledge and awareness of the impacts of their practices on the environment and climate change. Therefore, there is a need for education and training on sustainable practices.
2. Limited resources: Many small-scale farmers lack the resources, such as finance and technology, to adopt sustainable practices. Therefore, there is a need for financial and technical support to enable them to transition to sustainable practices.
3. Cultural and social barriers: Some traditional practices, such as free-range grazing, may be incompatible with sustainable practices. Therefore, there is a need for cultural and social change to enable the adoption of sustainable practices.
4. Policy and regulatory barriers: Some policies and regulations may not support the adoption of sustainable practices, such as subsidies for fossil fuels and land-use policies that encourage deforestation. Therefore, there is a need for policy and regulatory change to support sustainable practices.

Implications of Decarbonisation for Raising of Sheep and Goats Sector

Decarbonisation in the raising of sheep and goats sector has several implications, including:

1. Improved sustainability: Decarbonisation can improve the sustainability of the raising of sheep and goats sector by reducing its impact on the environment and climate change.
2. Improved productivity: Sustainable practices, such as improved feeding and breeding, can improve the productivity of sheep and goats, leading to increased income for farmers.
3. Improved health: Sustainable practices, such as improved animal health, can improve the health of sheep and goats, leading to improved food safety and quality.
4. Improved resilience: Sustainable practices, such as sustainable land use, can improve the resilience of the raising of sheep and goats sector to climate change impacts, such as droughts and floods.

Conclusion

Decarbonisation in the raising of sheep and goats sector is essential to reduce GHG emissions and prevent catastrophic climate change. The main sources of carbon emissions in this sector are enteric fermentation, manure management, and energy use. Reducing emissions in this sector requires a combination of mitigation and adaptation measures, such as improved feeding and breeding practices, manure management, renewable energy, improved animal health, and sustainable land use. However, decarbonisation in this sector faces several challenges, such as limited knowledge and awareness, limited resources, cultural and social barriers, and policy and regulatory barriers. The implications of decarbonisation for the raising of sheep and goats sector include improved sustainability, productivity, health, and resilience. Therefore, there is a need for concerted efforts by stakeholders, including farmers, policymakers, and researchers, to promote decarbonisation in this sector.