Greenhouse gas emission (GHG) assessment in the livestock sector in Samin Watershed, Central Java, Indonesia

Abstract

Objective:  The livestock sector in Indonesia, particularly cattle farming, has been reported to significantly contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, including methane and nitrous oxide, resulting from enteric fermentation and manure management.  Therefore, this study aims to assess GHG emissions from the livestock sector in Samin Watershed, Central Java, using localized emission factors to provide accurate estimates of the sector's impact on climate change.
Methods: The current study used a spatial disaggregation approach, following the IPCC guidelines for calculating CH₄ emissions from enteric fermentation and manure management, as well as N₂O emissions from manure management.  The sample comprised livestock population data from the Central Statistics Agency, along with emission factors sourced from the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Environment and Forestry.
Results: Results showed that enteric fermentation CH₄ was the primary contributor to total GHG in the Samin Watershed, accounting for 66% of the total livestock sector emissions.  In addition, cattle were the dominant source, contributing 84.02% of these CH₄ emissions. Results also showed that the volume of gases released from manure management experienced a 19.55% increase from 2020 to 2024, while N₂O from manure rose by 4.4%.
Conclusion: The livestock sector in the Samin Watershed plays a significant role in GHG emissions, with enteric fermentation being the main source.  Policy interventions for manure management and the adoption of methane-mitigation technologies are necessary to reduce GHG emissions.  In addition, environmentally friendly feed technologies, such as the inclusion of feed additives, can also help lower the release of CH₄.