Danone and Sistema.bio have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to provide 6,500 smallholder dairy farmers in Morocco with biodigesters by 2030, FnBnews reports.
The initiative is specifically designed to support the reduction of methane emissions that originate from agricultural operations and sources.
The innovative solution will be implemented across various regions where Danone operates, with the initial phase of deployment focusing on Morocco, Mexico, and India.
Methane is a powerful greenhouse gas (GHG).
The gaseous compound traps over 80 times more heat than carbon dioxide (CO2) does over the first 20 years after being released.
Dairy companies have a significant role in helping reduce methane levels.
This is because the methane released from agriculture and livestock accounts for approximately 40% of global methane emissions, with dairy cattle representing an estimated 8% of these emissions.
Building on the progress of a 25.3% methane reduction across the fresh milk supply chain since 2020, Danone positioned itself as a leader in 2023.
That year, it became the first food company to abide by the Global Methane Pledge.
As a result, the company has committed to further reducing methane emissions from fresh milk by 30% by the year 2030.
To them, making biodigester technology available to smallholder farmers yields mutual benefits for environmental sustainability and human well-being.
Biodigesters represent a well-tested manure management solution for the reduction of methane emissions.
These systems function by converting livestock waste into renewable biogas and organic fertilizer.
This process contributes to the mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions, cuts agricultural production costs, and reduces dependence on synthetic fertilizers.
“The biodigester technology has remarkable advantages, it allows us to use the processed liquid as natural fertiliser in our fields dedicated to cereals and legumes or fodder mix, and it has shown extremely positive results,” says Othmane Essaker, a dairy farmer in Morocco.
“I truly hope this technology will be made available for all farmers so that more people can benefit from it,” Essaker added.