African farmers to benefit from global push for low-methane, resilient livestock

African smallholder farmers are set to benefit from a new initiative aimed at breeding cattle that produce less methane while boosting productivity and resilience to climate change.

The International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), backed by the Bezos Earth Fund and the Global Methane Hub, has launched a three-year, US$3.35 million (Ksh.433 million) program under the Global Methane Genetics Initiative. The project will focus on improving indigenous livestock breeds so they emit less methane, a potent greenhouse gas, while securing food production for millions across the continent.

“Reducing methane from cattle is one of the most elegant solutions we have to slow climate change,” said Andy Jarvis, Director of the Future of Food at the Bezos Earth Fund. “By supporting this effort, we are using age-old selection practices, reinforced with science, to identify and promote naturally low-emitting cattle – locking in climate benefits for generations.”

Livestock in Africa contribute about 18% of global livestock methane emissions, with cattle responsible for 70% of those in Sub-Saharan Africa. Without action, emissions from the sector could triple by 2050. ILRI scientists argue that tapping into the genetic diversity of African breeds, combined with advanced research tools, can help the continent meet global climate goals, including the 1.5°C warming target.

Raphael Mrode, Principal Investigator at ILRI, who is leading the project, described it as “an important step towards a more sustainable and productive livestock sector in Africa.” He noted that combining advanced genetics with traditional knowledge offers a chance to cut methane while improving farmer incomes.

The initiative will measure methane emissions and productivity traits in cattle across Kenya, Ethiopia, South Africa, Burkina Faso and Benin. It will also analyze microbial communities in tropical breeds to better understand how rumen microbes affect emissions and productivity. These insights will guide breeding programs to introduce climate-smart cattle that are more heat-tolerant, require fewer resources, and generate less greenhouse gas.

Alongside scientific work, the program will build capacity by training technicians, strengthening national breeding centers, and publishing rankings of bulls and cows that farmers can access.

ILRI will coordinate the effort from its bases in Nairobi and Addis Ababa, working with partners such as the Agricultural Research Council of South Africa, CIRAD (France), CIRDES (Burkina Faso), and Université d'Abomey-Calavi (Benin). Partnerships with private-sector actors, including URUS and GENUS, will help bring the improved cattle into national breeding systems and farmer networks.

“This work brings together the best of science, industry, and the global breeding community to accelerate genetic improvement for methane efficiency worldwide,” said Roel Veerkamp of Wageningen University & Research.

If successful, the initiative is expected to deliver a 12% cut in livestock methane over 20 years, alongside a 20–25% reduction in emissions per kilogram of milk within five years. The program will also make genomic data publicly available to lower breeding costs and expand access to productive, climate-resilient livestock, particularly for women and young farmers.

By aligning livestock research with climate action, the project offers Africa a pathway to permanent and affordable methane mitigation while strengthening the future of its farming communities.