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Existing Buffalo Husbandry Practices at Household Farming Level in Selected Coastal Regions of Bangladesh

Md. Enayet Kabir
Department of Animal Production and Management, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka-1207, Bangladesh & Department of General Animal Science and Animal Nutrition, Patuakhali Science and Technology University, Babugonj, Barisal-8210, Bangladesh

Mohammad Moniruzzaman Monir
Department of General Animal Science and Animal Nutrition, Patuakhali Science and Technology University, Babugonj, Barisal-8210, Bangladesh

Md. Saiful Islam
Department of Animal Production and Management, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka-1207, Bangladesh

Md. Jahangir Alam
Department of Animal Production and Management, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka-1207, Bangladesh

Falguni Dadok
Department of Animal Production and Management, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka-1207, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

The study was attempted to collect information on buffalo husbandry practices existing in household farming level along with farmers’ status and problems they faced with probable solutions in selected coastal regions of Bangladesh. Data were collected from eighty (80) randomly interviewed household farmers of two coastal districts (Bhola and Patuakhali) through questionnaire from 1st January to 30th June 2019. Buffalo rearing was practiced by male farmers (85%) in age group of 31-45 yrs (47.5%) having primary level education (51.25%) and belonged to small category of farmers (52.5%) whose main occupation is agriculture (76.25%). About 82.5% farmers used own capital while 96.25% farmers practiced buffalo rearing without any training. Majority (80%) of the farmers had small herd size (<6) where highest number (91.25%) of farmers kept female buffaloes. About three-forth farmers (77.5%) did not care for housing of their buffaloes. Among the sheds provided mainly at night (85%), most of them had tinned roof (91.25%), muddy floor (97.5%), inadequate floor space (70%) and improper drainage system (65%). Maximum farmers (90%) practiced grazing their buffaloes from morning to evening at public land and offered locally collected natural roughages at night but did not practice concentrate feeding. No farmers accepted any feeding technology, used vitamin-mineral supplements or growth promoters and followed balanced ration feeding to buffaloes. Clean drinking water supply (3.75%) was very poor practice although farmers had opportunity. Natural breeding (85%) was more prominent practice and buffaloes mainly showed heat in winter. About 45% and 60% farmers practiced irregular vaccination and deworming, respectively. Feeds shortage is the most common problem along with others where attention is needed. The overall observations indicated that scientific management practices to exploit inherent capacity of buffaloes were not adopted by farmers and hence, management practices were not satisfactory and need to be corrected through motivation and providing extension services among farmers.

Keywords: Socio-economic status; Household farming, Management practices, Buffalo, Coastal region

Location: Bhola Sadar and Burhanuddin upazila of Bhola district, and Dashmina and Bauphal upazila of Patuakhali district of Bangladesh.

Start Date: 00-01-2019

End Date: 00-06-2019

Program Area: Animal Health and Management

Commodity: Buffalo

Objectives:

The information obtained from this study could serve as a basis for adopting feasible and relevant scientific husbandry practices for buffalo development in the coastal areas.

Methodology:

The study was conducted in four upazilas of two coastal districts named Bhola Sadar and Burhanuddin upazila of Bhola district, and Dashmina and Bauphal upazila of Patuakhali district of Bangladesh. The investigators contacted with the government animal husbandry and veterinary officers of the selected upazilas to gather information regarding pockets of household buffalo farming in the areas under their respective jurisdiction. The buffalo farmers so identified were also approached for help in locating other farmers in their locality. Having compiled a list of buffalo farmers in each upazila, the survey respondents having at least two buffaloes were selected for the purpose of the study. A total of 80 farmers (20 from each upazila) of household farming were selected adopting PPRS (Proportional Probability Random Sampling) technique of Lahiri (Snedecor and Cochrane, 1989). An interview schedule was carefully prepared that contained both open and closed form of structured questions keeping in mind the objectives of the study. The draft interview schedule was pre-tested in the field among some buffalo keepers and modified accordingly before final data collection. Before interviewing, the objectives of the study were explained clearly to the respondents and convinced to provide as much as accurate information. The questions were asked in a very simple manner with explanation wherever necessary. Data were collected during the period of 1^st January to 30^th June 2019 through face to face interviewing with the owners and observations were also applied. All the data collected were checked and cross checked before transferring to master sheets. The data was analyzed with the help of SPSS-v-16 computer package program.

Source of Information: Asian J. Med. Biol. Res. 2020, 6 (2), 255-264

Article Link (Online Journal): doi: 10.3329/ajmbr.v6i2.48057

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

The results showed that most of the farmers did not follow scientific feeding, breeding, housing, and health care management practices rather than following traditional backyard rearing system. The progress of buffalo husbandry seems unsatisfactory due to faulty management practices and unawareness about importance of management practices. As farmer’s main occupation is agriculture, they consider buffalo rearing as passive income source under household subsistence framing system. Yet now, no mentionable attempt is made to improve the buffalo management and production techniques in the coastal areas. Based on the above facts, it could be concluded that buffalo keepers should be acquainted and motivated through training on scientific husbandry practices. The concerned authorities should take appropriate initiatives accordingly to solve the problems on priority basis.

Knowledge Management: Journal