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Socio-economic Status of Buffalo Farmers and the Productive and Reproductive Performances and Management Practices of Buffaloes in Some Selected Areas of Bangladesh

Dr. Md. Ruhul Amin
Professor
Department of Animal Science, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Memensingh-2202Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

The potentialities of buffaloes to meet present and future demands of rapidly growing population deserves special attention because of its capacity to convert economically course roughages and other cereal by-products into milk and meat. This research program is mainly designed to formulate and recommend cost-effective ration for increases milk production, growth and reproductive performances of buffaloes. The study areas are selected on the basis of availability of buffaloes in Mymensingh, Noakhali, Moulovibazar, Natore and Rajshahi areas in Bangladesh. At the beginning, a field survey was conducted with the pretested questionnaire to get basic information on the socio economic condition of the buffalo farmers, demography of buffaloes, availability of feeds and fodders, existing feeding systems and management practices, current productive (milk and meat) and reproductive performances of buffaloes. The average age of the buffalo farmers are 43.31, where the highest age of the farmers was in Rajshahi followed by Noakhali, Moulovibazar, Mymensingh and Natore. The highest numbers of buffalo farmers are uneducated but in Noakhali, 55% of the farmers have their education more than primary level followed by Natore, Moulovibazar and Mymensingh. The occupation of the farmers is mostly agriculture. In Noakhali and Natore, 45 and 40% farmers respectively, are fully dependent on livestock. Among the respondents, the highest numbers of buffaloes are found in Noakhali followed by Natore, Rajshahi, Mymensingh and Moulovibazar. There are twenty three feeds available, some are common to different locations but some are very specific in some locations. There are grasses with common name but very with their nutritional content in different locations. The average milk production of indigenous and crossbred buffaloes was shown to be 2.95 and 3.88kg, respectively. The milk production of crossbred buffaloes of Mymensingh, Natore and Rajshahi was more than 4 liters/day. On the contrary, in Noakhali all the buffaloes are indigenous type but the milk production is good. In Moulovibazar, the breed was identified as swamp type. The average price of the milk was more than 60 taka/liter. The highest milk price was found in Noakhali followed by Mymensingh, Natore, Rajshahi and lowest price was in Moulovibazar. The price of buffalo milk was always higher than cattle milk irrespective of the location in the selected areas. The average price of meat is more than 230 taka/kg. The highest meat price was found in Natore and the lowest price was in Moulovibazar. The age at first heat that is puberty of buffaloes was almost similar in different locations. The age at first pregnancy follows almost the similar trend as of age at first heat. The gestation period of buffaloes in different locations was similar except that in Moulovibazar is 10.5 months. The average number of service per conception was 3 and found to be lower in Rajshahi. The average post partum heat period (PPHP) was 4.5 months. The highest duration was found in Natore and lowest in Rajshahi areas. The inter-calving period was highest in Natore and lowest in Mymensingh in this investigation. The birth and weaning weight were always higher in crossbred than indigenous buffaloes. The weaning age of buffaloes are almost close in indigenous and crossbred buffaloes in different locations of selected areas. The slaughter age was also similar in different locations but higher than cattle. All the buffalo raisers in all the locations prefer buffalo than cattle milk. In the case of meat, the choice is 40 and 60 for buffalo and cattle, respectively. Semi-intensive production system is practiced in Mymensingh, Natore, Rajshahi and Moulovibazar. In Noakhali, they are following extensive production system (80%) but some are keeping their buffaloes in Bathan (20%). In Moulovibazar, 90% farmers are keeping their buffaloes in the semi-intensive production system. All the buffalo farmers are following group feeding instead of individual feeding. In Mymensingh, Natore and Rajshahi, buffaloes are grazing 5-7 hours but in Noakhali and Moulovibazar, the grazing time was up to 10 hours. Almost all the farmers have suggested that buffalo rearing is profitable than cattle.

Keywords: Buffalo, Production, Demand, PPHP

Location: Rajshahi , Noakhali, Moulovibazar, Mymensingh and Natore.

Start Date: 00-00-2011

End Date: 00-00-2012

Program Area: Socio-economic and Policy

Commodity: Buffalo

Objectives:

To formulate and recommend cost-effective ration for increases milk production, growth and reproductive performances of buffaloes.

Methodology:

The study was conducted to find out cost-effective ration for increases milk production, growth and reproductive performances of buffaloes on the basis of availability of buffaloes in Mymensingh, Noakhali, Moulovibazar, Natore and Rajshahi areas in Bangladesh during the period 2011-2012. At the beginning, a field survey was conducted with the pretested questionnaire to get basic information on the socio economic condition of the buffalo farmers, demography of buffaloes, availability of feeds and fodders, existing feeding systems and management practices, current productive (milk and meat) and reproductive performances of buffaloes.

Source of Information: BAU Research proceedings, Vol.23, 2013, PP.58-59

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

The study found that buffalo rearing is profitable than cattle.

Knowledge Management: Report/Proceedings