Managing Kawit Backyard Poultries: Reducing Carbon Footprint Emission

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

The raising of livestock is a significant factor behind the prevalence of greenhouse gases, particularly carbon dioxide, in the atmosphere. (Banaguas et al., 2014) Despite previous discoveries on the significant role of the livestock industry on the carbon footprint emission attributed to climate change, studies on this issue are not yet established, defined, and prioritized nationwide. These lead the researchers to manage the backyard poultries in Kawit, Cavite through the implementation of manure management that is hypothesized to reduce carbon footprint emission.

METHODS

The researchers made use of a quantitative approach and experimental research design to pursue its specific objectives. Purposive sampling method was utilized to select six backyard poultries within Kawit, Cavite. The researchers divided the research procedure into four segments: field profile inspection through interview and survey questionnaire, carbon footprint pre-estimation, manure management implementation, and carbon footprint post-estimation. Default values and formula for the computation of data are based on the International Panel for Climate Change (1996). The data was analyzed through obtaining its mean and standard deviation and conducting T-test of dependent samples.

RESULTS

Results of the post-estimation of carbon footprint showed that backyard poultries emit a total of 72.715 CO2, which is lower than the pre-estimated 75. 051 CO2. By applying T-Test of dependent means at 0.05 level of significance, the study was able to prove that there was a decrease in the carbon footprint of backyard poultries when manure management was implemented. Since the computed t value of 11.689 is beyond the critical value of 2.776, it can be concluded that the treatment has a significant effect in reducing carbon emissions.

DISCUSSIONS

Based on the findings of the study, it can be said that the potential for carbon footprint emission could only be attained through management changes and adaptation capabilities, specifically by improved manure management. Furthermore, the estimated methane and carbon dioxide emissions imply that the population of the chickens profoundly affect the carbon footprint emission. In light of the previous results, it is recommended for poultry owners or managers within the locality to practice manure management for them to have a more sustainable industry.