Canada Founding Member Of Agricultural Global Research Alliance

Collective Research On Farm Management To Reduce Green House Gas

by Guelph Now - Environment Canada
Dec 21, 2009



Change Through Co-operative Research Into Farming Practices

The Government of Canada has joined an international network as a founding member of the Global Research Alliance on Agricultural Greenhouse Gases.

Advancing our knowledge and understanding of greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation in agricultural production will help develop new technologies and practices that Canadian farmers can use to improve their environmental performance and profitability.

Livestock Emissions Management 

Methane emissions from livestock are the result of inefficient feed digestion, which represents an economic cost to producers. Research into new feed and forage, feed efficiency, and improved digestion by livestock may reduce feed requirements and costs and have the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Carbon Sequestration In Agricultural Landscapes 
No-till drill tillage agricultural land management now media
Through better management of carbon, there is potential for both direct greenhouse gas mitigation and indirect mitigation through reduced use of fossil fuels. Reduced tillage practices, such as no-till, keeps the fertilizer in the ground improving soil quality for future crops and reducing the cost of fertilizer for the farmer. These practices can reduce carbon dioxide emissions, improve water retention, reduce soil erosion and improve air quality.

Photo right: John Deere No-Till seed drill, seeds new crop without disruption of the soil. Saves 2 passes over the field through ploughing and cultivation

Research into the measurement, reporting and verification of soil organic carbon in response to changes in cropland management will lead to the development of the greenhouse gas inventories of agricultural lands. Improved methods and technologies for carbon reporting may allow farmers to capture new income from future carbon credits trading markets.
agro forestry GHG emissions gloabal alliance agriculture now media
Agroforestry systems can absorb carbon dioxide, improve the productivity and resilience of agricultural land. They can also help farmers by improving crop yields and reduce input costs through biomass production, reduced erosion and nutrient leaching.

Photo right: Agroforestry. Planting trees and seeding crops between them.


Intensive Irrigated Cropping Systems
Irrigation GHG emissions Global Agricultural alliance Now Media
Heavy use of irrigation raises production costs and is directly related to increased GHG emissions. Currently 40% of the world's food is produced using irrigation and this percentage may increase in the future with growing populations and the corresponding demand for food. Research in this area will offer benefits to farmers and the environment by increasing efficiency of water and energy use.

Canada Invests

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada will invest up to $27 million towards the Global Research Alliance on Agricultural Greenhouse Gases.

More Than 20 Nations Join Alliance
 
The Alliance includes New Zealand, the United States, Australia, Chile, Denmark, France, Germany, Ghana, Ireland, Japan, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Switzerland, Uruguay and Vietnam. Countries will collaborate on research projects and exchange knowledge on new research and practices for greenhouse gas mitigation in agriculture.

Below: The Honourable Jim Prentice, Minister of the Environment, delivers Canada's national statement to delegates at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen.

 
 
Jim Prentice Minister of the environment copenhagen climate change now media
 


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