Greener Agriculture and Environment through Genomic Selection of Livestock

Abstract

Indisputable volumes of evidence are mounting to confirm the fact that climate change is occurring slowly but irreversibly. Agriculture has been recognized as a significant contributor to global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of which livestock is a shareholder. Many counter measures and technologies have been proposed at policy level and farm level to alleviate GHG emissions, accommodating further expansion of agriculture and livestock farming. DNA (genomic) technology is a useful tool to accurately identify and genetically select livestock having lesser tendency for GHG emissions (greener livestock), a trait that is difficult to measure at large scale. Converging such technology with many other potential greener technologies, such as waste management (biogas production, integration and recycling, etc.) and digital technology for identification of animal, their pedigree, performance and health, would add to improve production efficiency of animals and other production units, requiring fewer such units and thereby reducing emission of GHG leading to greener agriculture and environment.