Analysis of Greenhouse Gas Emissions (GHG) from Livestock Sector in India with Special Reference to Dairy in Telangana

Abstract

Livestock constitutes an integral component of Indian agriculture sector and also a major source of Greenhouse Gas Emissions(GHG) emissions. The study uses both secondary and primary data for estimating GHG emissions from livestock in India and also Telangana. The study presents spatial and temporal variations in GHG emissions from different age-groups, different Breeds, different censuses starting from 2003 to 2019 based on IPCC guidelines. The study mainly focus on estimating the carbon footprints of milk by applying Cool Farm Tool(CFT) in dairy setup especially in Telangana. The total GHGs emission from Indian livestock in 2019 is estimated at 281.23 Mt in terms of CO2 equivalent emissions. Although the Indian livestock contributes substantially to the methane budget, the per capita emission is only 24.89 kgCH4/animal/year. Top 10 states account for 75.47 % of missions from India. Telangana accounted for 3.46% of missions from India with a total of 9.73 Mt in 2019. Village level study indicated that per farm emissions were 173.56 kg CO2 equiv. per year and it is 3.91 kg CO2 per kg FPCM of buffalo milk produced. Co2 per kg FPCM is more in cow milk compared to buffalo milk due to inefficiency management practices resulting in low milk yield. Though the livestock is cause and sufferer of methane and GHG emissions, reducing animal numbers as a part of mitigation strategy will affect the food and nutritional security of people. Instead of reducing livestock numbers, mitigation strategies should aim at management practices like feeding, manure management, using methane reducing chemicals and also inventing new methods to converting methane to useful products which will help in achieving SDG goals relevant to livestock. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions will not only address. The findings can inform policymakers and researchers in developing sustainable practices and strategies for emission reduction in the livestock sector to achieve SDG goals.