VETINDEX

Periódicos Brasileiros em Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia

p. 91-97

Buffalo reproduction: an Indian perspective

Singh, Inderjeet

The increasing world buffalo population, of which over 97% is concentrated in Asia, reflect the prominent role it plays in rural economy of the region through providing milk, meat and the draft work-force. In recent decades, buffalo farming has attracted increased attention in Mediterranean and Latin American countries as well as in the US and traditionally non-buffalo rearing European countries too. The increasing interest in buffalo rearing is primarily due to more desirable composition of buffalo milk in comparison to cow milk w.r.t. high milk fat content but low in cholesterol; higher total solids, SNF, proteins, calcium, phosphorus and calories per unit. Similarly, buffalo meat is also relished more due to its lean and low cholesterol properties. India is increasingly exporting buffalo meat with no scare of transmitting the dreaded mad-cow disease. Indian buffaloes account for more than half of the world buffalo population. With their population of over 98 millions, buffaloes contribute over 56% to India’s milk pool, much higher than the contribution of almost double the population of cattle. (AU)

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