Dietary alternatives in livestock production for mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions in Mexico

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the alternative sources of food for livestock production to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions in Mexico.Design/methodology/approach: A document archive analysis was carried out about the use of certain industrial and agricultural wastes in Mexico in the last decade, and how these can serve as an alternative source of animal feed; these offer certain chemical properties that promote the mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions in livestock systems and also generate an added value in the agricultural and industrial sector.Results: Agricultural and industrial production in Mexico generates an important amount of wastes that are not exploited; in parallel, livestock production in Mexico is growing exponentially, which demands a surface and consumption of natural resources. Therefore, agricultural and industrial residues in Mexico represent a potential alternative source of animal feed, which offers a reduction in the surface destined to the production of food for animals and gives an added value to the industrial and agricultural residues in the country.Study limitations/implications: The alternative sources of food adjust to the agricultural and industrial sectors.Findings/conclusions: The use of agricultural residues, industrial wastes, and other alternate sources of food is suggested as a sustainable alternative in the reduction of GHG in livestock systems and a contribution to the mitigation of climate change in Mexico.