More than a hundred rural producers participated in the presentation of the results of the work started in 2020 on 60 properties, covering more than 30.000 hectares in the north, center, east and northeast regions of the country.
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“The vast majority of properties managed to increase productivity, improve income and reduce greenhouse gas emissions”, highlighted those responsible for the Livestock and Climate project, led by the Uruguayan government.
This was possible “without increasing costs” and “with a rainfall deficit”, amid the drought that has plagued the country for three years, they stated in a statement.
According to the balance presented on Saturday, the net family income of the properties increased by 28% compared to the baseline at the beginning of the project.
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Additionally, beef production increased by an average of 8% compared to the baseline, and sheep meat production increased by 17%. There was also a 6% increase in pregnancy and weaning.
“I hope we are successful in expanding this project,” said Agriculture Minister Fernando Mattos to producers.
The initiative, which has funding from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and technical direction from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), aims for “climate-smart livestock farming”.
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This involves, for example, avoiding overgrazing, which causes soil erosion and biodiversity degradation.
Uruguay, a country of 176.000 km² and 3,5 million inhabitants, has more than 70% of its surface occupied by pastures that feed 12 million head of cattle, resulting in 3,4 head of cattle per inhabitant, the highest proportion of the world.
However, the agricultural sector is responsible for 75% of national greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and the cattle sector represents 62% of total emissions, especially due to cow digestion, which generates methane.
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According to experts, it is not possible to eliminate GHG emissions from livestock farming, but it is possible to reduce them by improving the digestibility of the animals' diet.
On Saturday, those responsible for the Livestock and Climate project stated that GHG emissions decreased by 18% per kilogram of meat produced.
“The results of the project implementation show a path towards meeting national commitments to reduce GHG emissions”, they indicated.
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“Furthermore, in an adverse climate context, they show a path to building resilience in natural range-based livestock systems through pasture and herd management,” they added.
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