Meat turns up the heat as livestock emit greenhouse gases.

Studies by Carnegie institution shows that eating meat contributes to climate change, due to greenhouse gasses emitted by livestock. The research shows that livestock emissions are on the rise and that beef cattle are responsible for far more greenhouse gas emissions than other types of animals. The tasty hamburger has been fingered as a major culprit and It might be better for the environment if meat consumption is cut down. The effect of eating pork or chicken instead of beef has a much positive impact on environment . Carbon dioxide is the most-prevalent gas when it comes to climate change. It is released by vehicles, industry, and forest removal and also comprises the greatest portion of greenhouse gas . The methane and nitrous oxide are also greenhouse gasses and account for approximately 28 percent of global warming activity. Methane and nitrous oxide are released, in part, by livestock. Animals release methane as a result of microorganisms that are involved in their digestive processes and nitrous oxide from decomposing manure. These two gasses are responsible for a quarter of these non-carbon dioxide gas emissions and 9 percent of total greenhouse gas emissions overall. The researchers found a difference between livestock-related emissions in the developing world, which accounts for most of this increase, and that released by developed countries. This is expected to increase further going forward, as demand for meat, dairy products, and eggs is predicted by some scientists to double by 2050. By contrast, developed countries reached maximum livestock emissions in the 1970s and have been in decline since that time. Feeding manipulation and different management methods have demonstrated changes in levels of gas released.Cows fed on hay and pasture burp more due to ruminal activity on the feed thus releasing more methane than other cows on grains and corn where there is less emission.

FOOD SECURITY.

Food security refers to the availability of food in required quantities,quality and the ease of access. The accessibility can be categorized on basis of affordability, availability and ease of purchase. 

The onus of food security is on producers,their rate of production coupled with the price has a lot of impact on the way food is accessed. 

 The agricultural sector is weighed down by so many factors that makes production unstable and inaccessible.

These factors are: 

 1) Inadequate land for growing crops and rearing livestock.

 2) Cost of production . 

3)Storage /processing 

4) Transportation. 

 Land is the basic capital needed for production,hence the value it adds to production cost cannot be overemphasized.

The production of food to cater for the growing population can only be achieved if other methods of production are practiced. 

 Food security will entail using innovative measures to produce crops and rear animals.The use of genetics hampers on this production methods by using seed improvement and modified seeds and also new planting techniques such as hydroponics.

This will not only ensure a rapid harvest but also reduce the cost of production as many crops can be planted in a column in smaller spaces. 

 The issue of using genetically superior breeds also valuable in livestock,if superior breeds are reared more products will be accessed from them within a shorter time at reduced cost of production.

 Feeding accounts for about 75% of production cost,thus if cheaper methods of feeding are embraced then more products will be available.

The use of fodder system is a good initiative with health benefits not only for the animals but also for man. 

The inclusion of greens into diet such as water hyacinth,seaweeds and even watermelon has shown increase body weight within a short time .The use of insects and worms also have added benefits to growth and development of the animals.

 Feed fermentation is also another method to reduce cost of feeding as the animal will require about 1/2 of the original ration in fermented form,and also the feed will be a source of probiotics thus maintaining intestinal health and preventing diseases which invariably reduces costs as antibiotic inclusion is not necessary.Substitution of local feed stuff in feed rations also reduce cost.

Fermentation in poultry feed results in bigger eggs with thick shells and chicken with bigger carcass weight. 

   Storage and processing methods also play a role in food security, with better processing techniques more food will be stored and less food lost and discarded as waste.    Innovations such as extraction/extrusion machines, milling machines, klins for drying e.t.c coupled with proper packaging and storage will extend shelve-life of products.

 Transportation: this factor can hinder all other factors of production if the products need to travel long distances before they are available for sale.This can be adjusted by strategic locations of production points near markets.

  The transportation chain must provide easy access from farm to stores or from farm to processing and storage centers. The growing population will require innovations to ensure that more food is produced,its readily available and affordable.