Kenya Among Five Nations to Benefit from New Climate-Smart Livestock Program

Key Highlights

• US$3.35 million project launched to breed indigenous African cattle that emit less methane while boosting productivity.
• Led by ILRI with support from Bezos Earth Fund and Global Methane Hub, targeting Kenya, Ethiopia, South Africa, Burkina Faso, and Benin.
• Initiative aims for a 12% methane reduction in 20 years, alongside higher yields and stronger rural livelihoods.
• 3,000 cows to be tested across five countries using advanced genetic tools, laser detectors, and microbial profiling.
• Program expected to deliver climate-smart cattle that withstand heat, need fewer resources, and produce less greenhouse gas.
• Project will also train local technicians, strengthen breeding centers, and expand access to improved livestock for smallholders.

African livestock farmers are set to benefit from a new international initiative designed to improve indigenous cattle breeds, cut methane emissions, and boost productivity.

The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), backed by the Bezos Earth Fund and the Global Methane Hub, on Wednesday launched a three-year, US$3.35 million program aimed at reducing livestock methane emissions while enhancing food security and climate resilience.

The initiative, known as Accelerating Reduced Emissions in Indigenous Breeds in Africa, forms part of the Global Methane Genetics Initiative. It will deploy advanced genetics to identify and promote naturally low-emitting cattle while improving milk and meat production.

“Reducing methane from cattle is one of the most elegant solutions to slow climate change,” said Andy Jarvis, Director of Future of Food at the Bezos Earth Fund. “By promoting naturally low-emitting cattle, we can lock in climate benefits for generations.”

Livestock in Africa account for 18 percent of global methane emissions, with cattle alone responsible for 70 percent of those in Sub-Saharan Africa. Without intervention, experts warn, emissions could triple by 2050.

The project will be rolled out in Kenya, Ethiopia, South Africa, Burkina Faso, and Benin, with ILRI coordinating efforts from Nairobi and Addis Ababa. In Kenya, farmers in Nandi, Nakuru, and Nyandarua counties will be the first to benefit.

ILRI Director General Prof. Appolinaire Djikeng said the program will measure methane levels in 3,000 cows using laser detectors and mobile apps, supported by existing data from 9,000 animals. Scientists will also study rumen microbes in tropical cattle to better understand the links between gut microbes, productivity, and emissions.

“Climate-smart cattle that withstand heat, require fewer resources, and produce less greenhouse gas will be introduced into national breeding programs,” Djikeng explained. “Our goal is to put more money in farmers’ pockets while protecting the environment.”

The initiative will also build local capacity by training technicians, strengthening breeding centers, and publishing accessible cow and bull rankings for farmers. Partnerships with global organizations including Wageningen University, CIRAD (France), CIRDES (Burkina Faso), and Université d’ Abomey-Calavi (Benin) will support research and dissemination.

Expected outcomes include a 12 percent methane reduction over 20 years, a 20–25 percent cut in methane per kilo of milk within five years, and wider access to high-yielding, climate-resilient livestock, especially for women and youth farmers.

“This initiative brings together science, industry, and farmers to create permanent, cost-effective solutions for methane reduction while safeguarding rural livelihoods,” said Prof. Roel Veerkamp of Wageningen University and Research.