Inside Sh433 billion drive to cut methane emissions from African farms
Without intervention, experts from the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) warn that the emissions could triple by 2050.
Livestock in Africa account for 18 per cent of global livestock methane emissions, with cattle alone responsible for 70 per cent of emissions in Sub-Saharan Africa.
This ideally makes them a central focus in the continent’s climate fight.
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Without intervention, experts from the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) warn that the emissions could triple by 2050.
To tackle this, the Institute has launched a $3.35 million (Sh433 billion) initiative, under the Global Methane Genetics Initiative, to cut methane emissions from livestock in African farms while boosting farmer productivity.
The funding has the backing from the Bezos Earth Fund and the Global Methane Hub, and targets five African countries: Kenya, Ethiopia, South Africa, Burkina Faso, and Benin.
Under the programme, scientists will use cutting-edge tools such as laser detectors, mobile apps, and genetic sequencing to monitor and curb emissions while supporting smallholder farmers.
In Kenya for instance, researchers plan to measure methane output from 3,000 cows, drawing comparisons with existing data from 9,000 animals across the continent.
Alongside, over 1,000 tropical cows will undergo microbial profiling to study how gut microbes influence both productivity and greenhouse gas emissions.
The research will also feed into breeding programmes designed to produce climate-smart cattle, animals that withstand heat, consume fewer resources, and emit less methane.
These improved breeds will then be incorporated into national herds, with rankings of bulls and cows published to help farmers make informed choices.
According to ILRI, the project could trim livestock methane emissions across the continent by 12 per cent over the next two decades, while delivering productivity gains that cut emissions per litre of milk by as much as 25 per cent within five years.
Notably, the institute bills the approach as a permanent, cost-effective pathway to methane reduction compared to other mitigation technologies.
Beyond emissions, the initiative also aims to build resilience in African farming by training local technicians, strengthening breeding centres, and ensuring that smallholders, particularly women and youth, gain access to more productive and climate-resilient livestock.
Generally for ILRI, the work signals a turning point; aligning livestock research directly with global climate goals while safeguarding the livelihoods of millions of farmers.
Commenting on the initiative, Andy Jarvis, the Director of the Future of Food at the Bezos Earth Fund said reducing methane from cattle is one of the most elegant solutions we have to slow climate change.
“Thanks to collaboration with the Global Methane Hub, we are backing an effort that uses age-old selection practices to identify and promote naturally low-emitting cattle, locking in climate benefits for generations to come,” Jarvis said.
On his part, Principal Investigator at ILRI, Raphael Mrode said the initiative represents an important step towards a more sustainable and productive livestock sector in Africa.
“By integrating advanced genetics with Africa’s indigenous breeds and farmer knowledge, we can achieve meaningful reductions in methane emissions while strengthening rural livelihoods through improved productivity,” Mrode said.
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