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Morphological Identification of Buffaloes in the Coastal Region of Bangladesh

Nani Gopal Saha
Department of general Animal Science and Animal Nutrition, Patuakhali Science and Technology University, Barishal-8210, Bangladesh

Md. Sayed Hasan
Faculty of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Patuakhali Science and Technology University, Barishal-8210, Bangladesh

Md. Rashedul Islam Gazi
Faculty of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Patuakhali Science and Technology University, Barishal-8210, Bangladesh

Mohammad Mahmood Riad
Department of Basic Science, Patuakhali Science and Technology University, Barishal-8210, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Context: In the morphological study, three forms of buffaloes in the coastal region of Bangladesh like Surti type, Nili-Ravi type and Crossed/Mixed type were determined. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted to identify the buffaloes in the coastal region of Bangladesh. The questionnaire was prepared and data/information was collected from December/2017 to March/2018 indoor to door interviewing method by randomly selected of 100 households’ buffalo farmers from each of Barishal, Patuakhali and Bhola districts. After completion of collecting data/information was tabulated, processed and recorded in computer Microsoft Excel sheet and finally it was analyzed for results. Results: In study areas observed 78, 14, 6 and 2% farmers were occupied in agriculture, business, service and labor, respectively. Maximum farmers were uneducated (73%), and 12, 10 and 5% having the primary, high school and SSC or more level of education, respectively. Moreover, 56, 28 and 16% farmers’ families were small, medium and large, respectively, and on the basis of land size 37, 35 and 28% of them were large (>1.0 acres), marginal (<0.2 acres) and medium (0.2-1.0 acres), respectively. It was revealed that the buffaloes at study areas having similarities in some of the phenotypic characteristics of typical Surti and Nili-Ravi breeds of Indian water buffaloes and believed to be bred themselves with indigenous ones forming three different types like Surti type, Nili-Ravi type and Crossed/Mixed type were of 40, 18 and 42%, respectively. The mean weight of matured male observed 347.9±2.70 kg in Bhola was distinctly (p<0.01) heavier to 339.4±3.58 and 312.70±3.64 kg in Patuakhali and Barishal, respectively. Similarly, the mean matured weight of female found to be 260.7±2.46 kg in Bhola was also significantly (p<0.01) differed over 243.4±2.30 and 238.20±2.24 kg in Patuakhali and Barishal, respectively. The buffalo cows in Bhola produced averaging 2.42±0.062 litters of milk per day was distinctly (p<0.05) higher than those produced 2.27±0.060 and 2.21±0.059 litters milk daily in Patuakhali and Barishal district, respectively. The heaviest weight for male and female along with higher milk producing abilities of buffaloes in Bhola district was for the favorable environment in Bhola than other two districts in respect of both management and feeding aspects. Conclusion: Three forms of buffaloes found in coastal region were Surti type, Nili-Ravi type and Crossed/Mixed type thought to be derived from Surti and Nili-Ravi breed mixing with indigenous buffaloes in these areas.

Keywords: Breed, Buffalo, Coastal, Family, Farmer, Household, Milk, Type

Location: The coastal region of Bangladesh

Start Date: 00-12-2017

End Date: 00-03-2018

Program Area: Animal Health and Management

Commodity: Buffalo, Milk

Objectives:

To study the scenario of buffalo farmers and to identify the types of buffaloes with population size and performance in the coastal region of Bangladesh.

Methodology:

The present experiment was conducted to identify the types of buffaloes in coastal region of Bangladesh on the basis of their phenotypic appearance. Moreover, milk production performance was also estimated with this study. The questionnaire was prepared and pre-tested within October to November/2017 and it was cautiously designed in maintaining the basis of the study in view, and it was pre-tested for judging the suitability of the questionnaire to the respondents. The questionnaire had both open and closed form of questions, but prepared in accordance with the objectives of the study and designed in a simple manner in which it was possible to obtain all information from the farmers as much as accurately and authentic. It was comprised of major items- a) General information about the livestock owner i.e. occupation, income, income from buffaloes and family size etc. b) Live weight; d) Phenotypic and morphologic assessments i.e. coat color, horn pattern, feature, configuration etc. c) Feeding management; and f) Milk yield. Thereafter the questionnaire was finalized upon making necessary modifications. For executing the objectives, data/information was collected from a period of December/2017 to March/2018 with randomly selected of 100 households from each of the Barishal, Patuakhali and Bhola districts in Bangladesh. To know the origin with other information of a particular buffalo, it was accumulated in a door to door or rearing place survey by filling up the structured questionnaire through interviewing with the farmers of the aforesaid districts. When the interview was over, the information was checked carefully before leaving the farmers’ house/place at study areas, and any confusion was rationalized and corrected by comparing these with local standards to keep the consistency of the data/information. Study Areas The study was covered the different households of Barisal, Patuakhali and Bhola districts. Data collection, record keeping and statistical analysis Door to door interviewing method was used to collect the data/information from buffalo owners. Information given by them was recorded in a record book and kept for further analysis. Estimation of Live weight (LWT): The live weight (LWT) of each buffalo was estimated at the time of survey. For being difficulties in bearing weigh balance to study areas (either farmers’ house or fields), Shaeffer’s formula was applied for estimating the LWT of the buffaloes as follows: LWT = (L - G2) / (300) x Pounds. Here, L= length (inches); G= heart girth (inches) For calculating the weight in kilogram (kg), simply the estimated result was divided by 2.2 (as 1kg= 2.2 pounds). After the completion of collecting of data/information was tabulated, processed and recorded in computer Microsoft Excel sheet and finally it was analyzed by using Statistical Program for Social Science (SPSS, Version 22.0) computer program.

Source of Information: Bangladesh livestock journal. 2018. 1: 22-29; ISSN 2409-7691

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

Buffaloes are financially and culturally very important livestock species especially in developing countries. They possess the highest potential for meat and milk production in Bangladesh with a promising gene pool, which is not yet fully used. In Bangladesh, water buffaloes would preferably be the important and popular livestock for milk production. The present study revealed three different forms of buffaloes in coastal regions as Surti type, Nili-Ravi type and Crossed/Mixed type thought to be derived from Surti and Nili-Ravi breed mixing with indigenous buffaloes because these were matched in some of the phenotypic characteristics with typical Surti and Nili-Ravi breeds of Indian water buffaloes. The mean weight of matured male observed 347.9±2.70 kg in Bhola was distinctly (p<0.01) heavier to 339.4±3.58 and 312.70±3.64 kg in Patuakhali and Barishal, respectively. Similarly, the mean matured weight of female found to be 260.7±2.46 kg in Bhola was also significantly (p<0.01) differed over 243.4±2.30 and 238.20±2.24 kg in Patuakhali and Barishal, respectively. The buffalo cows in Bhola produced averaging 2.42±0.062 litters of milk per day was distinctly (p<0.05) higher than those produced 2.27±0.060 and 2.21±0.059 litters milk daily in Patuakhali and Barishal district, respectively. The study also exposed that a lot of buffaloes were raised in study areas, but a large number (73%) of uneducated farmers being unskilled and unable to maintain animal health properly and as a result, the production performance of their buffaloes found to be bellow than expectation. Besides, wants of quality animals and proper breeding policy, scarcity of feeds due to flood or overflow of water and shortage of grazing lands/chars, inadequate veterinary assistance, lack of capital, lack of buffalo keepers and high cost of them, communication and low price of milk and milk products etc. were the different forms of constraints was established in study areas as well. Finally, it is concluded that for obtaining optimum benefit from buffaloes need to improve the current buffaloes and their production potential through scientific breeding with quality breeds, improved management system, providing training, credit and finance, consultancy service, adequate veterinary service, feed conservation, adoption of improved forage and use of agro-industrial by-products such as oilseed cakes and also the infrastructure to increase the production of buffaloes in these areas and in Bangladesh as well.

Knowledge Management: Journal