Outside the box…cows eat garlic to preserve the environment
خارج الصندوق.. الأبقار تأكل الثوم حفاظًا على البيئة
The spread of Greenhouse Gases (GHGs) in the atmosphere has increased since the middle of the twentieth century, causing the phenomenon of global warming, or what is called “Global warming”. It is a global phenomenon whose effects have become – significantly – the focus of attention at climate conferences, including the twenty-seventh Conference of the Parties (COP), which Egypt hosted inSharm El-Sheikh in 2022.
It is no secret to anyone the extent to which this phenomenon has a negative impact on environmental systems and on efforts to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Global warming raises sea levels, causes an imbalance in the pattern ofprecipitation, increases desertification, deteriorates agricultural lands, and other harmful climate consequences.
As we said, what most affects the increase in global warming indicators around the world are Greenhouse Gases (GHGs), especially methane. لكن ما المتسبب في انتشار هذا الغاز؟ The answer is simply cows! The release of methane gas from cows is one of the main causes of climate change, as global estimates indicate that a large percentage of methane emissions result from cows. مما دعا دولة مثل نيوزيلندا إلى فرض ضريبة غاز الميثان علَى مزارعيها.
Garlic combats climate change
Garlic has a good reputation for improvinghuman health in general, and we can add to this its benefits that stimulate the digestive process in animals. This is what was confirmed by the company “Neem Biotech“, where a team of its researchers relied on a nutritional supplement consisting of the active ingredient in garlic, “allicin”, in addition to “flavonoids” derived fromcitrus. Flavonoids are plant pigments that dissolve in water and are responsible for the colors of flowers and fruits.
By incorporating this nutritional supplement into cow feed, the company was able to significantly reduce methane emissions rates in cows, as this supplement works to improve the digestion process; Thus reducing gases resulting fromintestinal fermentation.
Livestock in Egypt
This was a wonderful example of companies providing services and products that reflect their duty to achieve the principles of social responsibility, and promote the concepts ofGreen Economy. But, what about Egypt and its livestock? In this article – within the Out of the Box series – we will try to shed light on the usefulness of such new and advanced ideas in stimulating efforts towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The animal production sector in Egypt generates a percentage of Greenhouse Gases (GHGs) through intestinal fermentation. Therefore,Egypt is working to implement strategies to limit the rise in global temperatures, and to give priority to actual steps that reduce livestock production emissions.
If we want to explore the future of Egypt’s livestock within the framework of sustainable development principles and goals, we must monitor future global challenges. So that we can continue to propose plans capable of confronting climate repercussions.
From here, we see how strategies for developing the livestock production sector have contributed to supporting Egyptian steps towards achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in line with “Egypt Vision 2030”. One of the most prominent of these Egyptian efforts was: “Sustainable Agricultural Development Strategy”, which aimed to maintain the improvement and development of agricultural resources, achieve a great deal of food security, in addition to strengthening the competitiveness of Egyptian agricultural products in local and international markets, and increasing their exports to all countries of the world.
These development steps and innovative ideas in the field of combatingClimate changeare a duty for countries all over the world, and methane gas is one of the Greenhouse Gases (GHGs), whose effects we must limit on the environment. In order to preserve its resources.
