Water Buffalo Production and Breeding Management Practices Under Smallholder Farming System: A Review
Peregrino G. Duran1, Danilda H. Duran1, Saturnino M. Francis2, Joel C. Salazar3 and Lellah Rahim4
1Philippine Carabao Center, National Headquarters and Gene Pool, Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija, Philippines;
Central Luzon State University, Science City of Muñoz, Nueva Ecija, Philippines
2Benguet State University, La Trinidad, Benguet, Philippines
3Pampanga State Agricultural University, Magalang, Pampanga, Philippines
4Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Animal Science, Hasanuddin University, Makassar, Indonesia
Abstract
Water buffalo has an important role in the agricultural economy of many developing countries in Asian source of milk, meat and draft power; security of living that requires minimum inputs; and also due to its unique characteristics which is resistance to diseases and parasites, long productive lifespan and higher capability of consuming low quality forage that can positively address the challenges by increasing rustic livelihood, poverty alleviation and food security. The data on the water buffalo productivity and related aspect of breeding management practices particularly at the village level farming system is relatively scarce and population growth rate is slow. Water buffalo production lags and has a reputation of being poor breeders due to a propensity for long calving intervals, high incidence of postpartum anestrus and late age of maturity. The lack of water buffalo development may be related to many factors and problems ranging from practical husbandry, genetic and environment with limited attention given. Even though various animal breeding and management programs have contributed to this improvement, there are constraints hampering the growth which require proper attention by initiating realistic breeding policies for genetic improvement. In view of this, optimum breeding policies are presented with their strengths and shortcomings. In order to improve them, systematic breeding is necessary. By focusing on important aspects, such as productivity and development, milk and meat production and quality, disease resistance, longevity, heat stress tolerance, and fertility, this review can serve as a foundational piece for those studying this animal species. The review paper gave an account of the water buffalo production trend highlighting the population, breeding management practices, breeding progress and update information on genetic strategies and the breeding policy of the water buffalo breeds for meat and milk production and grading up low producing animals with breeds of superior genetic merit. Characteristics were described, breeds and types of water buffalo with special attention to the introduction of this species and the crossbreed phenomena between river (2n=50) and swamp (2n=48) types, giving origin to a (2n=49) crossbred. Draft animal production is another economic performance that was emphasized as important mainly among smallholder farms. The importance of water buffalo to the economic and social framework especially of the small and landless rural poor in several countries of Asia. The potential for breeding improvement of certain traits was discussed. Some major national and international efforts being made to improve water buffalo production have also been cited. This also summarized current knowledge and addresses potential of modern scientific approaches, draw the present scenario of water buffalo production to improve productivity and their contributions to the global economy and provided current agriculture determina
Keywords: Water Buffalo; Breeding; Smallholder Farming System
Topic: Breeding and livestock production