Greenhouse gas emissions from livestock production in rural area of Algeria, the case of Chemini (Kabylie)

The Algerian agricultural sector faces the challenge to meet the food needs of its
population despite low agricultural capacity, resulting in increasing pressure on natural
resources. This paper aims to inventory the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions related to
livestock sector in the rural area of Chemini (province of Bejaia), taking into account the
emissions due to enteric fermentation, in the form of methane, and manure management,
in the form of methane and nitrous oxide. Emissions intensity, expressed in CO2-
equivalents (CO2-eq) per kg of edible protein, was included in the study. Ruminants
contribute to 94% of livestock GHG emissions and to 53% of protein production, with a
large share due to cattle. The main part of emissions is related to enteric fermentation.
High-producing cattle present the lowest emission intensity of the ruminant category
with 24 kg CO2-eq per kg protein. Chickens produce 2.7% of livestock related
emissions but provide 47% of animal protein. It results in low emission intensities
whereas important difference is noticed between backyard and industrialized systems
(around 21 versus 1 kg CO2-eq per kg protein, respectively). Improvement of animal
performance should contribute to mitigate the environmental impact of livestock
production in Algeria.