Smallholder farming and climate change Martin Long Head of Programmes Send a Cow UK

Smallholder farming and climate change Are cows killing the planet? Daily Mail 12/7/07 cows killing the planet? Daily Mail 12/7/07 “If you want to be green, don’t plant a tree – kill a cow” Boris Johnson Daily Telegraph 11/1/07 cows killing the planet? Daily Mail 12/7/07

Smallholder farming and climate change Environmental assessment of the SAC UK office Specialist assessment of programme work looking at physical, economic and social impacts

Smallholder farming and climate change Uganda National Environmental Management Authority environmental report Key problems: Send a Cow programme promotes compost to recycle nutrients, adding fertility to the soil, using organic waste 1.Loss of soil fertility 2. Soil erosion Compost improves soil structure and stability

Stall fed cow Feed grown on own farm and brought to the animal Manure and urine kept and recycled as compost Local extension worker visits frequently. Support from regional, national and UK office 1 st female calf passed on Exercise yard

Carbon Costs of the Programme (5 years) Cow gas emissions Compost preparation Car travel and office Air travel

Carbon Capture of the Programme 100 multi-purpose trees planted Fifteen tonnes of compost added to the soil

Programme Carbon positive By nearly 2 times Tonnes of Carbon Dioxide Equivalent Carbon Balance of the Programme

Impact on soils pH increase soil organic matter increase nitrate increase potassium increase calcium increase

Food security changes Staples/cash crops Average increase reported ratio increase (1 decimal place) Percentage increase in yield (on actual figures) Bananas (Matoke) 1 to 2.5 clusters145% Cereals1 to 2.8 sacks186% Cassava1 to 5 sacks400% Groundnuts1 to 3.5 sacks250%

Overall conclusions SAC’s livestock and organic agriculture approach: Increases soil fertility and reduces soil erosion, thereby enhancing ability to withstand climate shocks Sequesters carbon to the benefit of everyone’s environment Increases crop yields for food security

Recommendations Support an agro-ecological approach Build and support local food systems Remember the smallholder farmer, working with and through farmers’ groups Invest in sustainable agriculture, optimising the returns from integrating livestock and crops