Millions of Dairy Farmers in India, How the Rising Methane Problem Can be Mitigated

India stands as the world's largest milk producer, with a home to 80 million dairy farmers who produced 231 million tons of milk last year. The dairy industry collectively holds 303 million bovines, comprising cows and buffaloes, which contribute significantly to methane emissions in the country. While the government has taken some positive steps to reduce methane, experts suggest that the dairy industry can and should do more to curb it, thereby immediately limiting warming.

According to data published by the International Energy Agency earlier this month, India ranks as the world's third-largest emitter of methane, with livestock being responsible for nearly 48% of all methane emissions in the country, a majority of which comes from cattle. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas that can trap 80 times more heat in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide over a short period.

The Indian government is not committed to any global pledge to reduce methane emissions, which many view as an easy win for climate solutions, as methane stays in the atmosphere for years, unlike CO2, which can linger for centuries.

However, there is some work underway at the national level in agriculture to cut methane: the government's National Dairy Development Board, which works with over 17 million farmers nationwide, is considering genetic improvement programs to provide more nutritious fodder to livestock, ensuring healthier cows. Productivity, meaning fewer cows will be needed to produce the same amount of milk for each farmer. Studies by the NDDB indicate that providing balanced nutrition to animals can lead to reductions in emissions by up to 15%.

The board is also considering reducing crop burning, a high-emission practice that some farmers resort to by feeding those crops to their cattle to clear their land. Mihir Shah, Chairman of the Board, said, "Climate-smart dairying is the need of the hour."