One of the four winners of the PRIMA Award for Women Greening Food Systems, Prof. Yosra Ahmed Soltan is leading an impressive work to reduce livestock greenhouse gas emissions while boosting production in Egypt. As part of our series spotlighting these inspiring women, we asked her three key questions to learn more about her vision and impact.
In the face of climate change, Prof. Soltan, a Professor of Animal Nutrition at Alexandria University, is tackling one of agriculture’s most pressing challenges: mitigating methane emissions from livestock. Her project, MLGHG – Mitigating Livestock Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Innovations and Impacts, has introduced natural solutions such as modified clays and biochar supplements that significantly reduce methane emissions—by up to 60% and 20%, respectively—while improving milk yield by 12%.
These innovations are especially transformative for women smallholder farmers, providing them with safer and more productive livestock management techniques.
⬇️ Three questions for Prof. Yosra Ahmed Soltan…
What led you to focus on methane emissions from livestock, and how do your natural solutions address this issue?
Livestock methane emissions are a major source of greenhouse gases in agriculture, contributing to climate change. However, reducing them must not compromise animal productivity or farmer livelihoods. We have developed innovative feeding systems that utilize Mediterranean-adapted plants (such as Acacia, Leucaena, Moringa, Atriplex, Prosopis) as sustainable alternatives to conventional feed. These plants thrive in saline soils and harsh climates while being rich in phytochemicals that naturally suppress methane emissions. Additionally, we are pioneering natural alternatives to antibiotic feed additives, including several plant extracts, modified clays, biochar from agricultural wastes, indigenous yeast-based prebiotics, and green-synthesized metal oxides. These solutions enhance rumen fermentation, lower methane and CO₂ emissions, and support climate-smart livestock production, aligning with global sustainability goals.
How have the innovations in your project helped women smallholder farmers achieve more sustainable and productive livestock management?
Women smallholder farmers are at the heart of livestock production in the southern Mediterranean, yet they often face limited access to affordable and sustainable feed solutions. Our research provides climate-resilient feeding strategies using Mediterranean-adapted plants (Acacia, Leucaena, Moringa, Atriplex, Prosopis) that thrive in harsh conditions while naturally reducing methane emissions. These alternatives lower feed costs, improve animal health, and enhance productivity. Additionally, our work introduces natural, cost-effective additives—such as biochar, clays, yeast prebiotics, and green-synthesized metal oxides—as sustainable replacements for synthetic feed additives. By improving feed efficiency, increasing animal production (meat, milk), and reducing environmental impact, these innovations empower women farmers to adopt climate-smart livestock management, ensuring greater resilience and economic stability in their communities.
What message do you have for other women striving to transform food systems?
Women are key drivers of change in Mediterranean food systems, and their contributions to sustainable agriculture and climate resilience are more critical than ever. By embracing nature-based solutions—such as climate-adapted plants and natural feed additives—we can reduce environmental impact, enhance livestock productivity, and build more resilient food systems. My message to women in science, farming, and innovation: Believe in the power of research, embrace challenges, and never stop exploring new solutions. Agriculture needs bold ideas and sustainable practices, and women are leading the way in transforming livestock production for a greener future.
