Safe and Sustainable Traditional Production: The Water Buffalo in Asia

Abstract

The water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) is considered an efficient converter of poor quality forages into high quality milk and meat. This species is ubiquitous, with prevalence though in Asian and Mediterranean countries. From a genetic standpoint, the species is characterized by two main subspecies: river and swamp type. The former to be found predominantly in Mediterranean countries, whereas the latter is found only in the Asia continent. At present, the majority of the total world buffalo population is distributed in Asia, holding around 97% of the available stock. There, animals are mostly fed on low quality roughages and crop residues with poor nutritive value, resulting inevitably in reduced productive and reproductive performances. A distinctive differential production system is in effect between river and swamp type buffaloes, due to a significant production capacity of the two sub-species. An overview of production systems and their sustainability in the two sub-species with an emphasis on country of origin and feed availability is presented.

Dairy science and health in the tropics: challenges and opportunities for the next decades

“…Water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) are the predominant domesticated ruminants in Asia and Mediterranean countries, and it is currently spreading to Africa and South American regions. Buffaloes are divided into two sub-species: swamp buffalo and riverine buffalo, with a diploid chromosome of 48 and 50, respectively (Deb et al 2016). Swamp buffaloes are mainly raised in Asia, particularly in China, Myanmar, Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Lao PDR, and Thailand, serving as a draft, transportation, and meat, and providing manure and by-products (hide, hoof) (Chantalakhana 1990).…”

Morphometric diversity and phenotypic relationship among indigenous buffaloes of Banten, Indonesia

“…Asian buffaloes dominate the world by representing 92.52 percent of the buffalo population in the world (194.29 million) (Konuma and Gennari 2014). The population of buffalo in Indonesia is around 1,320,600 heads ranking in the top ten countries in Asia (Deb et al 2016). Banten Province is one of the centers of buffaloes development in Indonesia (Maureen and Kardiyanto 2010).…”

Sustainability assessment of biogas production from buffalo grass and dung: biogas purification and bio-fertilizer

“…There are so many types of grasses that are popularly grown in Thailand (Dussadee et al 2017 ). Deb et al ( 2016 ) stated that the buffalo grass, traditionally raised in a mixed crop livestock system, has played an important role over the centuries, especially in Asia, for the lives of millions of people, by ensuring work power and food at the end of their career as work animals.…”