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ELT 1410

Paraphrasing Activity 2

Effects of Climate Change on Livestock:Sri Lankan Perspectives

In Sri Lankan agriculture, crop and livestock are the vital sub-economic areas particularly for the population living outside of cities. About 0.6% of the gross domestic product in Sri Lanka is added by livestock. This GDP is hoped to rise in upcoming years because dairy production has rised by 4% in 2014. Animal population and the productivity of an animal are the major reasons for this.

Carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide are the three main greenhouse gases. The livestock sector is responsible for about 9% of the whole CO2 emissions, of which animal product processing and transport are responsible mainly for livestock-related CO2emission, while the rest is from the crop agriculture sector. For about 35 – 40% of the yearly methane emissions related to human activities are accounted by the livestock sector. Enteric fermentation in ruminant animals and farm animal manure are resulted this methane emission. 250 – 400 liters of methane could be released by a ruminant per day. But it may be varied on animal species and feeding systems. About 12% of dietary energy could be lossed as methane.

Livestock is one reason for global warming. However, global warming is also adversely affected to the livestock by reducing roughage yields due to rising temperature or destroying harvest due to prolonged drought or heavy rains. That cause to reduce the feed for animals. So, lower the productivity of animals. Animals from temperate breeds and their crosses coud give better milk yield under cold conditions. Due to rising temperature, milk production of those animals could be reduced.

By numbers, main livestock groups in Sri Lanka are cattle and buffaloes. Livestock is one of major livelihood and income producer for rural population. Livestock provide milk for household consumption, play a role of transport, generate income through meat, also provide vauable fertilizer from dung.

The importance and contribution of livestock to the livelihood of the people in Sri Lanka is significant both economically and socially, however, the impact of global warming on the sector in Sri Lankan conditions has been less documented. The objectives of this review is therefore, to compile statistics of GHG emissions by livestock, current research and development activities related to climate change, identification of gaps, and suggest future research and development needs.

Out of the greenhouse gases (GHG), methane is considered as the main GHG emitted by livestock. The emission amount of methane is depended on the body size, metabolism, activity level, and feed quality of the animals. Based on feeding type, feed availability, agroecological zones, and production system, Nitrogen and Methane emissions from cattle in Sri Lanka are estimated by FAO and the New Zeeland government. When considering the Sri Lankan climatic zones, GHG emission is high in the Dry zone because of the low production efficiency of cattle. Furthermore, the emission of the GHG by Wet zone is little, and also the second-lowest GHG emission has been recorded in the Mid country which has low cattle population but their contribution to the national milk production is about 40%.

GHG emissions, mitigation and adaptation measures in Sri Lanka is in scarcity due to lack of infrastructure or lack of funds and expertise. However it is tried to increase the production efficiency of the livestock, mainly through improving nutrition, housing, welfare and health. Also, measures taken to reduce the effects of high temperature and humidity.

Warm temperatures inmost areas of the country is not perfect for temperate breeds as heat affects to the milk yield.Mid and up country is suitable for higher farm production but the land availability of the area is low. So farmers moved to intermediate and dry zones.Availability of land in those areas higher than mid and up country.Farmes construct farm houses with cooling and fogging systems to overcome high temperature.Temperate breeds successfully farmed in Hambanthota area located in southern province and have hot and humid climate.

Accurate data is required for modeling and mitigation recommendations. Climate change adaptation plans are being developed to combat the negative effects of the changing climate. Sri Lanka only has estimates for GHG emissions, but emissions under local feeding and management conditions have not been properly measured, and there are no facilities in the nation to measure these parameters at the ground level. Furthermore, several studies aimed at increasing livestock productivity have not directly addressed climate change or GHG emissions. As a result, the country urgently needs to develop a GHG emission measuring facility for cattle, which would aid in determining the most effective adaptation and mitigating measures. Climate change should be a component of funding agencies' priority lists.

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ELT 1410_ Activity 1

Development and Evaluation of a Booklet on Dietary Guidelines and Menus for Pregnant Women in Sri Lanka

A woman's normal nutritional requirement is increased during pregnancy to support the growth of the fetus and the maternal tissues associated with pregnancy. Many pregnant women in developing countries are suffered from nutritional deficiencies because of inadequate dietary intake. can cause growth failure and the development of protein-energy malnutrition. Therefore, a balanced diet must be required to obtain adequate nutrients. In Sri Lanka, several supplements including iron, folic acid, vitamin C and calcium, and pre-cooked ready-to-eat food are provided during pregnancy to prevent micronutrient deficiencies and underweight. In addition to that, a nutrition educational booklet on dietary guidelines and nutritionally-balanced dietary menus for pregnant women are distributed to improve their nutritional status by enhancing dietary nutrient intake. This study is about development of a booklet to improve nutritional counseling of mothers. Three steps of study are development of the booklet by conducting a literature review and gathered dietary guidelines and menus for pregnancy. Second step is formation of the booklet that has two sections which provide general information on maternal nutrition and a balanced diet and nutritionally balanced dietary menus for healthy pregnant women and pregnant women with diabetes. Validation of a booklet was done with the recommendations of experts. Evaluation of the booklet was done using a questionnaire. Final version was developed with the comments of experts and pregnant women. Conducting a needs assessment, establishing contents, writing the text, and evaluating the piece are the steps of developing quality educational materials. Quality of the text is determined by readability of the target group with an age range. Format was used for clear understanding and to motivate reading. All mothers who validated the booklet were having a positive opinion. The overall comments were maternal nutrition information was simple and easy to understand, menus were presented in an attractive way and since menus had commonly available foods they are easy to follow. The developed “Dietary Guidelines and Menus Booklet” is accepted by experts and end-users as an important source of dietary guidelines to improve the nutrient intake of pregnant women in Sri Lanka.

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“journal articles, case studies, peer reviewed articles, original researches, empirical studies”