Recently,the"Opinions on Promoting Green and Low-Carbon Transformation and Strengthening the National Carbon Market Construction,"issued by the Central Office and the General Office of the State Council,called for boosting the intrinsic motivation of society to pursue green and low-carbon development.Earlier,the"Plan for Accelerating the Building of a Strong Agricultural Nation(2024–2035),"released jointly by the CPC Central Committee and the State Council,clearly emphasized making green circulation and low-carbon development the defining characteristics of a robust agricultural sector.
To drive the green transformation of the livestock industry,we must firmly adhere to ecological civilization as our guiding principle,fully embrace the"Two Mountains"philosophy,and accelerate the establishment of a modern livestock production system that is low-carbon,circular,and environmentally friendly.
Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China,China's animal husbandry sector has experienced rapid growth,with continuously strengthening production capacity.At the same time,livestock and poultry farming in China still faces relatively prominent environmental pollution issues,making it a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions in the agricultural sector.Among these,methane produced by enteric fermentation in ruminants,as well as methane and nitrous oxide emitted from manure,account for the majority of greenhouse gas emissions from animal husbandry.In the face of tightening resource and environmental constraints and the deepening implementation of the"Dual Carbon"strategic goals,accelerating the green transformation of the livestock industry has become an urgent priority.
In recent years,the country has vigorously promoted pollution-reduction and carbon-emission reduction technologies,including methane-reduction techniques for ruminant animal intestines and greenhouse-gas mitigation technologies for livestock and poultry manure.These efforts primarily focus on two key areas:scientifically formulated feed and the resourceful utilization of manure and waste.However,constrained by factors such as weak environmental awareness among livestock farmers,limited management capabilities,and outdated facilities and equipment,the overall adoption rate of these pollution-and carbon-reduction technologies remains low—representing a major bottleneck in China's green transformation of the livestock industry.
Currently,animal husbandry is at a critical juncture,shifting from sheer scale expansion toward a focus on improving quality and efficiency.While ensuring a stable supply of livestock products,how to effectively reduce the resource and environmental costs—and simultaneously enhance both ecological benefits and industrial competitiveness—has become a major challenge that must be addressed to accelerate the green transformation of the sector,drive high-quality industry development,and ultimately support the building of a strong agricultural nation.Against this backdrop,reducing pollution and carbon emissions is not only a vital lever for advancing the green transformation of animal husbandry but also an indispensable path to achieving sustainable,high-quality growth.To make progress in this area,efforts should be concentrated on the following key aspects.
Accelerate the development of new-quality productivity in animal husbandry.At its core,this new-quality productivity is inherently green—enabling not only enhanced efficiency across the livestock industry but also driving a sustainable,eco-friendly transformation of the sector.Specifically,we must increase investment in scientific and technological innovation,spearhead breakthroughs in livestock breeding techniques,and expedite the integration of superior traits in livestock and poultry,ultimately fostering the creation of even higher-quality breeds that significantly boost overall production efficiency.Additionally,by leveraging digital and intelligent technologies,we can achieve precise assessments of greenhouse gas emissions from animal farming,accurately forecast emission trends,and rigorously verify data—providing robust evidence to support comprehensive emission control measures and strengthen environmental oversight.
Enhance livestock farmers'awareness of pollution reduction,carbon mitigation,and relevant technologies.Currently,farmers have limited knowledge in these areas,making it essential to improve their understanding as a critical first step toward driving a green transformation in the livestock industry.We must widely disseminate knowledge and technical information on pollution reduction and carbon mitigation,while tailoring training programs to meet the specific needs of different groups.Additionally,we should establish a robust service network centered around county-level agricultural technology extension centers and township-level animal husbandry and veterinary stations,providing farmers with consistent,targeted support and advisory services for pollution reduction and carbon mitigation.
Establish and improve the technology promotion system.It is essential to fully consider regional characteristics and technological features when formulating scientific and rational promotion strategies.Tailor differentiated technology promotion plans based on distinct regional attributes,and adopt flexible and diverse approaches suited to the unique characteristics of each technology.Furthermore,build a collaborative operational mechanism involving multiple stakeholders,fostering a synergistic promotion model characterized by"government leadership+enterprise-driven initiatives+grassroots-level services+active participation from village collectives."
Encourage the research and development of low-carbon feed.Promoting feed companies to develop low-carbon feed products is not only a crucial way to meet the practical needs of farmers but also a powerful measure to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from livestock farming and drive the industry’s green transformation.It is recommended to establish industry standards and a certification system for low-carbon feed,clearly defining the criteria,technical specifications,and testing methods for such products.Additionally,financial subsidies and tax incentives should be provided to help companies lower the costs associated with developing low-carbon feed,thereby boosting their enthusiasm.Finally,a streamlined"green channel"should be created for low-carbon feed R&D,simplifying approval processes,and granting market access priority to certified low-carbon feed products.