PLANT SECONDARY COMPOUNDS: A VIABLE OPTION FOR MITIGATING ENTERIC METHANE EMISSION IN NIGERIA

Résumé

This paper highlights the role of ruminants as important contributors to global warming through enteric methane emission with a focus on Africa and Nigeria in particular. It goes on to identify the dearth of research emanating from the country towards developing strategies for mitigating enteric methane emission despite the large ruminant population. The process of methane production by ruminants is briefly described along with thedifferent  strategies used for mitigating it. The paper proposes the use of plant secondary compounds as a good potential option of mitigating enteric methane for a country like Nigeria. The need for equipment for measuring enteric methane production in developing any effective strategy was raised. The paper was concluded by calling on scientists and researchers to conduct more research on developing strategies for mitigating enteric methane production; and on government on the need for a policy framework towards achieving this aim.