Browsing: Livestock farming in Africa

• Many players in livestock farming across Africa remain unaware of the relationship between this sector and greenhouse gas emissions.
• Currently, livestock farming contributes about 18% of global greenhouse gas emissions according to international estimates.
• In South Africa, the sector contributes between 0.4% and 0.5% of the global total, equal to about 32.5 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents a year.

Livestock farming feeds millions of Africans, but it also leaves a carbon footprint that cannot be ignored. According to North-West University (NWU) in South Africa’s animal scientist, Prof Kenny Mnisi, this challenge is finding the balance between sustaining households and tackling climate change.

Many players in livestock farming across Africa, however, are unaware of this link to carbon footprint. Prof Mnisi says short learning programmes and collaborative initiatives are needed to close the gap.

“The Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, in collaboration with the North West Department of Agriculture …