A graduated methodology for mitigating GHG emissions and nutrient losses in Integrated Crop-Livestock Production Systems

The agricultural sector must mitigate losses in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, nutrients, and inputs within the context of climate change and ecosystem degradation. Integrated crop-livestock production systems can enhance carbon and nutrient circularity. A holistic methodology is proposed to guide producers in developing strategies that reduce environmental impacts while improving system resilience through circular and ecosystem-based practices. Developed as part of the Integrity project (EraNet), this methodology presents a graduated approach organized into four stages. These stages correspond to different levels of the production system, starting from production processes (animal and plant) and culminating at the agroecosystem level. The first stage focuses on maximizing efficiency in both animal and crop management by identifying key leverage points to enhance production and quality. The second stage develops strategies to reduce nutrient losses and emissions, including effluent management and enteric emissions. The third stage promotes the integration of animals and crops within the production system, optimizing spatial arrangements, internal nutrient circularity, and minimizing external inputs. The fourth stage involves developing carbon sequestration strategies to achieve carbon neutrality and promote ecosystem services. By guiding producers through these stages, the methodology helps identify high-impact actions that can be implemented immediately or that require longer-term structural changes, serving as a valuable tool for initiating transitions toward more resilient agricultural systems.