Buffalo and Rural Development | Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Science Optional for UPSC PDF Download

Buffalo's Milk Superiority

• Buffaloes are recognized for their superiority in milk production, especially due to the higher fat content compared to cows. This characteristic was acknowledged as early as 1928 by the Royal Commission on Agriculture.
• The fat percentage in buffalo milk ranges from 7 to 12 percent, significantly higher than the 3 to 4 percent found in cow milk. This higher fat content translates to increased profitability for dairy farmers since milk prices are often based on fat content.
• Buffaloes have the advantage of being able to consume coarse feed that cows reject, reducing feeding costs. This adaptability to less expensive feed contributes to cheaper milk production.
• Additionally, buffaloes are known to adjust more easily to changes in their diet compared to cows. They can maintain their milk yield even when exposed to new feed types. Moreover, the work activities of buffaloes, such as draught labor, do not negatively impact their milk production, making them versatile animals in dairy enterprises.

Buffalo Population and Milk Production

• Globally, the buffalo population is spread across approximately 40 countries. However, the majority of buffalo are found in South Asia, with India being a significant contributor to the global buffalo population.
• India, in particular, boasts a substantial buffalo population, with around 83.499 million buffaloes recorded in the 1992 census, comprising about half of the world's total buffalo population.
• Buffaloes in India exhibit significantly higher milk yields compared to cows. On average, a buffalo produces 504 kg of milk, a stark contrast to the 157 kg produced by a cow in India.
• Interestingly, despite their smaller population size compared to milk cows, buffaloes contribute more significantly to India's total milk supply. Around 35 million female buffaloes provide approximately 66 percent of the country's milk supply, surpassing the contribution of approximately 55 million milk cows, which yield only 44 percent.

Development Plans for Buffaloes

• India possesses some of the best milk breeds of buffaloes, eliminating the need to explore superior exotic breeds. To enhance milk production, the focus lies on selective breeding and technological advancements.
• The National Commission on Agriculture (NCA) suggests that with improved technology and selective breeding practices, the national average milk yield per lactation for buffaloes could exceed 2,000 liters within the next 15 to 20 years.
• Currently, a significant portion (70 to 80 percent) of the buffalo population consists of nondescript and poor-yielding animals. These animals need to be upgraded through breeding programs to achieve a minimum milk yield of at least 1,000 liters.
• However, there's a shortage of superior breeding bulls, with only 15.4 percent coverage for the breedable stock. Increasing the number of superior bulls is crucial for genetic enhancement and improving milk yields.
• The upgrading process involves using bulls with dams yielding not less than 1,100 liters initially, followed by bulls yielding at least 4,000 liters to produce animals yielding 2,000 liters of milk. Scrub bulls are recommended to be castrated during this process.

Adaptability of Buffaloes

• Buffaloes exhibit remarkable adaptability to diverse environmental conditions. While traditionally associated with plains, they are found thriving at high altitudes as well.
• Buffaloes can endure extreme temperatures, with some breeds even found in regions where summer temperatures exceed 46°C and winter temperatures drop below 4°C.
• Their ability to sustain themselves on poor-quality feed in areas such as stubble fields or marshy lands, which are typically unsuitable for cattle, underscores their adaptability.
• However, buffaloes are susceptible to heat stress due to their dark skin and sparse coat, which absorb heat from direct sunlight. Proper management, such as providing shade and avoiding strenuous work during hot weather, can alleviate this issue.
• Climate changes, including extreme heat and cold, can affect their reproductive systems and milk production. However, measures such as sprinkling cold water or wallowing can help maintain or even increase milk production during hot weather.

Buffalo's Role as Working Animals

• Buffaloes are valued for their contribution as working animals due to their robust build, docile temperament, and adaptability to various tasks.
• They excel in agricultural activities such as plowing, hauling, threshing, and irrigation due to their strength and ability to work in diverse terrains, including swampy conditions.
• Despite their large size, buffaloes are nimble and can navigate small plots without causing damage. Their large hooves and flexibility make them particularly suited for work in rice fields and other wet environments.
• Buffaloes play a crucial role in rice cultivation, where they are used for plowing, harrowing, and transportation. Their draught capacity is significant, with one buffalo capable of plowing an area of 1,400 square meters of paddy fields in 16 to 18 hours.

Buffalo Meat Production

• Despite their potential, buffalo meat production has not been fully exploited, primarily remaining as an incidental outcome.
• Proper feeding and management practices can optimize meat production, with buffaloes slaughtered at 16 to 20 months of age yielding meat comparable in quality and quantity to cattle.
• Supplementation of the diet with necessary nutrients can improve body weight and overall meat quality.
• The by-products obtained from buffalo slaughter, including hides, bones, blood, and horns, contribute to additional income generation.
• Buffalo meat is reported to be tender, palatable, and nutritionally rich, akin to young cattle meat, making it a valuable resource for the meat industry.