A Workshop for Knowledge Dissemination and Carbon Credit Assessment for Cattle and Buffalo Farms in Maha Sarakham Province

Abstract

This research aimed to conduct a practical training workshop to disseminate knowledge and provide a preliminary carbon credit assessment for cattle and buffalo farmers in Maha Sarakham Province. The training was based on three greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction approaches in accordance with the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), which included methane flaring as a fuel substitute, the use of methane as an alternative energy source for electricity generation, and the improvement of manure management practices.

During the knowledge dissemination phase, a total of 40 farmers participated in the workshop. Of these, 22 farmers completed both the pre- and post-training knowledge assessments. The evaluation results showed a statistically significant improvement in participants’ knowledge and understanding of GHG reduction, with average scores increasing from 7.3 to 9.3 out of 10. The paired sample t-test yielded a t-value of 8.43, with 21 degrees of freedom and a significance level of 0.000, indicating that the training was effective in enhancing farmers’ foundational understanding necessary for future carbon credit assessment. In the assessment phase, researchers utilized a pre-programmed calculation tool that allowed farmers to input farm-specific data to estimate their current GHG emissions and potential future reductions based on the three mitigation approaches. The results from 16 participating farms revealed that methane flaring could reduce emissions by 350.22 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO₂e) per year, which translates to a carbon credit value of 70,044 THB per year. Methane utilization for electricity generation could reduce emissions by 351.02 tCO₂e per year, equivalent to 70,204 THB per year. Meanwhile, improved manure management showed the highest potential for GHG reduction, with a total reduction of 532.72 tCO₂e per year, equivalent to 106,544 THB per year.

These findings indicate that improving manure management is the most effective approach among the three when considering carbon credit potential alone, without accounting for additional income from energy generation. This research emphasizes the importance of governmental and institutional support in educating farmers and promoting suitable technologies tailored to local conditions. Such support can help farmers adapt to the modern competitive environment and utilize carbon credits as an economic instrument to increase income while mitigating environmental impacts in the future.