Analysis of support policy for greenhouse gas mitigation in broiler chicken farms a case study in Thailand

Abstract

The rapid expansion of Thailand’s broiler chicken farming industry has raised concerns about its environmental impact, particularly greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and waste management. This thesis investigates these issues, utilizing data from a sample of 15 broiler farms to estimate GHG emissions using the GHG Protocol’s Scope 1 and Scope 2 methodologies. Results indicate that broiler farms collectively emit 2.95 kt CO2eq/year, with Scope 1 emissions accounting for approximately 52% and Scope 2 emissions for 48% of the total. Additionally, this study pioneers the application of the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) method to assess sustainable waste management strategies, providing valuable insights into decision-making processes in the industry. Criteria rankings, based on expert and farm owner preferences, revealed differing priorities, with experts assigning higher importance to environmental considerations (43.86%) compared to farm owners (17.32%). Conversely, farm owners prioritized economic criteria (59.87%) over environmental concerns (32.40%). Alternative rankings, reflecting differing stakeholder preferences, were also explored, with experts favouring gasification (46.92%) and farm owners preferring land application (50.31%). Policy recommendations emphasize the importance of comprehensive data collection, technology assessment, stakeholder engagement, and evidence-based policy development to advance sustainability in Thailand’s broiler chicken farming industry. This study contributes to the ongoing discourse on sustainable agriculture and lays the groundwork for future research and policy interventions.