Greenhouse Gas Inventory Estimates from Agriculture Sector in Jammu and Kashmir State of India

Aims Greenhouse gas (GHG) emission estimates were made from agriculture sector in Jammu and Kashmir to assess the 2015 situation and future trends in emission which would help in formulating a policy for mitigation. Materials & Methods The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) tier-II methodology (IPCC, 1997) has been adopted for estimating methane (CH4) emissions from enteric fermentation in livestock and Tier-I methodology for other sectors of agriculture for GHG emission. Findings Agriculture in J and K accounted for a total GHG emission of 5.411 Tg of carbon dioxide (CO2)e in the year 2015. Source-wise, enteric fermentation was responsible for emittance of 160.233 Gg of CH4 and 1.399 Gg of nitrous oxide (N2O), manure management for 8.25 Gg of CH4 and 0.276 Gg of N2O, rice cultivation for 28.75 Gg of CH4, cultivated soils for 1.988 Gg of N2O, and residue burning for 0.405 Gg of CH4, 0.029 Gg of N2O, and 118.01 Gg of CO2. Conclusion Higher GHG emission from enteric fermentation was mainly due to higher population of livestock in the state. The most effective methods for reducing GHG emissions in the state would be to adjust the part of animal feed to decrease digestion time, using feed additives to reduce metabolic activity of rumen bacteria that produce CH4, and increase and time of need.