Boosting domestic feed production with less environmental cost through optimized crop distribution

Abstract

Global cropland expansion and associated greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are largely driven by the growing demand of animal-sourced food. Thus, options are urgently needed to enhancing feed supply at a low environmental cost. Here we explored a set of scenarios about improving domestic feed supply, using a linear optimization model. Results indicate that the total feed (energy and protein) production may be increased by 18–32% through optimizing the spatial distribution of feed crops across provinces, without additional cropland input. GHG emissions and nitrogen and phosphorus inputs per MJ of produced feed decreased by 18–25%, 18–23%, and 16–21%, respectively. The redistribution strategies provide 10–16% additional animal food, which covers the demand of 195–393 million people. Lastly, we provide suggestions for improving the effectiveness of governmental policies related to spatial planning of crops, so as to alleviate the food-feed competition for cropland and to improve environmental sustainability.