Climate Change and Dairy Farming in East Africa: Challenges, Adaptation Strategies, and Pathways to Sustainability

Dairy farming in East Africa faces increasing risks from climate change, including rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, and more frequent droughts, which are projected to reduce milk yields by up to 35% by 2071–2100 if no action is taken. The dairy sector in East Africa contributes to climate chan...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores principales: Gitau, Kevin, Cramer, Laura K.
Formato: Brief
Lenguaje:Inglés
Publicado: International Livestock Research Institute 2025
Materias:
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/176584
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author Gitau, Kevin
Cramer, Laura K.
author_browse Cramer, Laura K.
Gitau, Kevin
author_facet Gitau, Kevin
Cramer, Laura K.
author_sort Gitau, Kevin
collection Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace)
description Dairy farming in East Africa faces increasing risks from climate change, including rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, and more frequent droughts, which are projected to reduce milk yields by up to 35% by 2071–2100 if no action is taken. The dairy sector in East Africa contributes to climate change, particularly through methane (CH4) emissions from livestock enteric fermentation and both methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from manure. A range of adaptation and mitigation strategies are available to enhance livestock resilience to climate stressors and reduce emissions. They include promotion of heat-tolerant breeds, conserving water, improving feed and manure management, and adopting agroforestry. Aligning dairy sector adaptation and mitigation efforts with national and regional climate policy frameworks is essential for achieving climate targets in East Africa. Overcoming barriers to the adoption of adaptation and mitigation measures—such as financial limitations, technical gaps, and weak infrastructure—requires targeted policies, coordinated capacity building, and a multi-stakeholder approach.
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spelling CGSpace1765842025-11-11T16:37:54Z Climate Change and Dairy Farming in East Africa: Challenges, Adaptation Strategies, and Pathways to Sustainability Gitau, Kevin Cramer, Laura K. livestock climate change dairying Dairy farming in East Africa faces increasing risks from climate change, including rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, and more frequent droughts, which are projected to reduce milk yields by up to 35% by 2071–2100 if no action is taken. The dairy sector in East Africa contributes to climate change, particularly through methane (CH4) emissions from livestock enteric fermentation and both methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from manure. A range of adaptation and mitigation strategies are available to enhance livestock resilience to climate stressors and reduce emissions. They include promotion of heat-tolerant breeds, conserving water, improving feed and manure management, and adopting agroforestry. Aligning dairy sector adaptation and mitigation efforts with national and regional climate policy frameworks is essential for achieving climate targets in East Africa. Overcoming barriers to the adoption of adaptation and mitigation measures—such as financial limitations, technical gaps, and weak infrastructure—requires targeted policies, coordinated capacity building, and a multi-stakeholder approach. 2025-07-01 2025-09-19T11:16:31Z 2025-09-19T11:16:31Z Brief https://hdl.handle.net/10568/176584 en Open Access application/pdf International Livestock Research Institute Gitau, K. and Cramer, L. 2025. Climate Change and Dairy Farming in East Africa: Challenges, Adaptation Strategies, and Pathways to Sustainability. AICCRA Info Note. Nairobi: Accelerating Impacts of CGIAR Climate Research for Africa (AICCRA).
spellingShingle livestock
climate change
dairying
Gitau, Kevin
Cramer, Laura K.
Climate Change and Dairy Farming in East Africa: Challenges, Adaptation Strategies, and Pathways to Sustainability
title Climate Change and Dairy Farming in East Africa: Challenges, Adaptation Strategies, and Pathways to Sustainability
title_full Climate Change and Dairy Farming in East Africa: Challenges, Adaptation Strategies, and Pathways to Sustainability
title_fullStr Climate Change and Dairy Farming in East Africa: Challenges, Adaptation Strategies, and Pathways to Sustainability
title_full_unstemmed Climate Change and Dairy Farming in East Africa: Challenges, Adaptation Strategies, and Pathways to Sustainability
title_short Climate Change and Dairy Farming in East Africa: Challenges, Adaptation Strategies, and Pathways to Sustainability
title_sort climate change and dairy farming in east africa challenges adaptation strategies and pathways to sustainability
topic livestock
climate change
dairying
url https://hdl.handle.net/10568/176584
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