Agriculture is a major contributor to global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, with dairy production playing a central role through enteric fermentation, manure management, and feed-related activities. Global research has identified general emission behaviours; however, there is still a critical lack of empirical, farm-level data in small island developing states such as Trinidad and Tobago.

 

This research fills this gap by analysing greenhouse gas emission intensity (kg CO?e/kg fat- and protein-corrected milk) across selected dairy farms in Trinidad, using validated, multi-year datasets. It will use real farm-level data, allowing a more accurate understanding of local emission fluctuations.

 

Preliminary findings show that emission levels vary widely from one farm to another. This suggests that how a farm is managed - its productivity, day-to-day practices and use of resources - matters more than its size alone. Most emissions come from enteric fermentation, followed by feed production and manure management. This pattern not only follows global trends but also points out deficiencies and clear opportunities for improvement.

 

By examining the relationship between farm characteristics and emission outcomes, this study intends to identify key drivers of emissions and classify farms by efficiency level. The findings will support the formulation of targeted mitigation measures, including improvements in feeding systems, herd management, and operational practices.

 

This work adds to the growing corpus of knowledge on sustainable agriculture in developing areas and provides a data-driven foundation for policy development, industry transformation, and climate action within Trinidad and Tobago's dairy sector.

Mr Joshua Ling-Choung is an agriculture and sustainability professional whose work centres on improving efficiency, resilience, and environmental performance within dairy systems. He currently serves as the Agriculture Commercial, Digital, and ESG Operations Lead at Nestlé Trinidad, where he leads initiatives focused on modernising milk sourcing, strengthening data systems, and advancing sustainability across the dairy value chain.

 

With a strong foundation in both operations and analytics, Joshua has developed and implemented solutions such as mobile milk collection systems, digital farm monitoring tools, and performance-based frameworks that integrate productivity with environmental outcomes. His work reflects a growing focus on using real-world data to drive decision-making and improve system-level efficiency in agriculture.

Joshua holds a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture and Entrepreneurship from UTT, and was chosen as the valedictorian for his cohort. Joshua also gained international academic experience at Northern Lights College in Canada, where he explored environmental management, land use, and ecological systems. He is certified in Lean Six Sigma and various technical disciplines, reinforcing his structured, problem-solving approach to agricultural challenges.

 

Currently pursuing a Master of Philosophy (M.Phil.) in Agriculture and Sustainability at UTT, Joshua's research focuses on greenhouse gas emissions in dairy systems, with particular attention to how farm size, productivity, and management practices influence emission intensity. Through this work, he aims to contribute practical, data-driven insights that support the transition toward more sustainable and efficient dairy production systems in Trinidad and the wider Caribbean.