Who are we?

Growing up with cows

In my native language, Tamazight, Tafonas means cows.

I grew up in a small village where livestock were an integral part of everyday life. For generations, cows represented livelihood—providing milk, meat, and economic stability. They were part of the natural rhythm of rural life.

It was only years later, during my studies and research, that I discovered another dimension: cows also produce methane, a potent greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change.

This realization completely changed how I viewed the system I had grown up with.

A shift in perspective

In Morocco, discussions about environmental issues—especially those related to methane emissions from livestock—were almost nonexistent. Agriculture was primarily viewed through the lens of tradition and survival, with little attention to its environmental footprint.

When I moved to Europe, I expected that advanced technologies would already have solved this challenge. To my surprise, even in highly developed countries, methane emissions from dairy cattle remained a major unresolved issue.

That realization sparked a deeper question:

How can we reduce methane emissions while maintaining viable dairy farming systems

From research to Tafonas

Determined to contribute to a solution, I pursued a PhD at the intersection of industry and academia, focusing on greenhouse gas emissions from dairy systems. My work allowed me to study these challenges across different contexts, including Germany, Ireland, and the Netherlands.

Through this experience, I came to understand that addressing agricultural emissions requires more than isolated technological fixes. Dairy systems are complex biological systems where methane, ammonia, carbon dioxide, and nitrogen flows interact.

Effective solutions must respect that complexity.

The Tafonas mission

Tafonas was created to explore solutions that reduce methane emissions from dairy farming while maintaining viable systems for farmers.

Rather than attempting to fundamentally change the nature of dairy production, Tafonas seeks to develop innovative approaches that work within real agricultural environments.

Our approach combines:

• scientific understanding

• technological innovation

• system-level thinking

The goal is simple but ambitious: to help create climate-smart dairy systems that are both environmentally sustainable and economically viable.

Looking ahead

Transforming an industry deeply rooted in tradition while addressing a global environmental challenge is not easy. But meaningful change often begins with small steps and new perspectives.

Tafonas is one of those steps.

I believe the future of sustainable dairy farming is within reach.

Join us as we work to make it a reality.

Latifa
Livestock emissions systems | Methane mitigation in dairy
Founder of Tafonas.