Crop Residue Improvement to Reduce Emissions from Livestock: Action Plan for Ethiopia and Nepal [AGR-24-006]

Rationale

Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and South Asia account for approximately half of the world's bovine population. However, due largely to poor feed quality, these regions produce between two to five times more  emissions per kilogram of milk and meat, primarily from methane, compared to developed countries. Low-digestible feeds result in similar or higher methane production per kg but lower growth or milk production.

Consumption and production in these regions are expected to increase substantially with rising incomes and population growth. Additionally, in some areas, the low value of crop residues leads to their burning, resulting in significant methane emissions and poor local air quality. Reducing these emissions while promoting income growth for smallholder farms requires improvement in the feed efficiency of meat and milk production. Though relatively simple strategies exist for improving crop treatment, they are greatly underutilised. 

This project aims to reduce methane emissions from livestock in Ethiopia and Nepal by improving the quality of crop residues used as animal feed.  By enhancing the digestibility of crop residues through breeding, chemical treatments, and new technologies, the project seeks to improve livestock productivity while reducing methane emissions. 

A key focus is on piloting advanced treatment methods like "strawlage" and second-generation biofuel technologies, which have shown promising results in improving animal growth and milk yield. The project also promotes the development of small-scale enterprises to collect and treat residues, and advocates for policy changes and breeding programs to incorporate higher feed quality standards. Ultimately, it aims to create sustainable feed systems that benefit both the environment and smallholder farmers.

Objectives

This project aims to:

• Promote the adoption of advanced feed treatment technologies by piloting them as case studies in target countries. 
•  Enhance agricultural policy through expanded communication efforts supported by credible scenario modelling and stakeholder consultations.
• Encourage more crop breeding institutions to incorporate increased digestibility of straws into their breeding programs without sacrificing crop yields.

Activities

To achieve these objectives the project will:
 

• Conduct stakeholder mapping to effectively engage local entrepreneurs, cooperative unions, farmers, and governments.
• Conduct stakeholder consultations sessions to identify the most realistic ways for the government and companies, including private cooperatives, to encourage the development of these businesses. 
• Conduct an economic analysis and market analysis of Processed Enriched Straw (PES) and PES Feed mix production
• Conduct business and technology training of industry staff 
• Conduct a study on dual-purpose crops, and awareness workshops with crop breeders
• Conduct communications campaigns on dual-purpose crops
• Develop national frameworks to assess methane and other greenhouse gas emissions reduction, and co-benefits from improved crop residue use
• Include ‘residue feed quality’ as one of the criteria for genetic selection of new cultivars of cereal crops 
• Develop and action plan to enable ministries, local governments and feed manufacturers start to expand crop residue improvement efforts 
• Produce a comprehensive report outlining an action plan for the governments and private sectors for the large scale adoption of crop residue use

Project Reference: [APP-24-319] Crop Residue Improvement to Reduce Emissions from Livestock: Action Plan for Ethiopia and Nepal