Introduction
Livestock is an integral component of Nepalese farming system that
contributes more than one-third of the total agricultural gross domestic
production (AGDP). Buffaloes are raised for supply of animal protein, draft power,
and manure. Buffalo enterprise contributes 52.9% of the livestock share in the
national GDP. However, there are still less than 12% improved buffaloes (Murrah
and its crosses) in the country. There have been only limited studies relating to
their production potentialities. This study was conducted to explore the possible
reasons that have been hindering for improved buffalo farming and to find out
the measures to improve the performance of the indigenous buffaloes in Nepal.
Population Status of Buffaloes in Nepal
Table 1: Population trend of buffaloes in Nepal
Year
Population Year
Population
1996/97
3362435
2003/04
3952654
1997/98
3419150
2004/05
4081463
1998/99
3470600
2005/06
4204886
1999/00
3525952
2006/07
4366813
2000/01
3624020
2007/08
4496507
2001/02
3700864
2008/09
4680486
2002/03
3840013
2009/10
4836984
Source: CBS, 2010/11
Table 2. Buffalo population distribution across the Physio-graphic agro-ecological
zones and development regions in Nepal .
Agro-eco
zones
Development Regions
Farwestern
Total
Midwestern
Western
Central
Eastern
Mountains 102245
35052
82
133173
132624
403176
Hills
207940
407899
920689
619421
387980
2543929
Terai
241222
326603
321701
458957
541396
1889879
Total
551407
769554
1242472 1211551 1062000
Source: CBS, 2011.
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4836984
Production and its contribution to the economy:
Table3: Meat and milk Production trends of buffalo:
Year
Milk
Meat
Year
Milk
production Production
production
(Mt.)
(Mt.)
(Mt.)
1996/97 701980
113482
2003/04 863322
1997/98 729360
117350
2004/05 894591
1998/99 744025
119562
2005/06 926850
1999/00 759568
121769
2006/07 958603
2000/01 781394
124848
2007/08 987780
2001/02 806690
127495
2008/09 1031500
2002/03 834376
130791
2009/10 1066867
Meat
Production
(Mt.)
133600
138953
142040
147031
151209
156627
162213
Table 4. Buffalo milk and meat production across the development regions of
Nepal (2009/10).
Milking buffalo and milk production
Development
Regions
No. of
Buffalos
milking Buffalo
produced
( mt)
Buffalo
milk produced
(mt)
Eastern
275477
224532
36143
Central
332024
326647
51180
Western
349359
285133
34845
Mid-western
151935
125246
21936
Far-western
143975
106742
18254
Total
1252770
1068300
162358
Source: CBS, 2010.
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meat
Objective:
 To know about the different indigenous breeds of buffalo found in Nepal.
 To know about the actual situation of indigenous buffalo in Nepal.
 To find out the different research activities done on different indigenous
breed 0f buffalo for the improvement in the production.
 To understand the production potentiality of different indigenous breed of
buffalos.
 To highlight the economic importance of indigenous genetic resource of
buffalo and problems related with farming system.
Methodology:
The assignment on “Status of indigenous breed of buffalo in Nepal” was done
due to the inspiration of Mr. Nirajan Bhattarai, lecture, Department of Animal
Science. Methodology to prepare this assignment was the use of the secondary
literature related to indigenous breed of buffalo in Nepal. Library search as well as
net surfing was done. The information from the statistical year book 2010 was
also used to prepare this assignment.
Literature Review
Breed types of Nepal
The buffalo population in Nepal can be broadly classified into three groups based
on their breed characteristics- Hill buffalo, Terai buffalo and Indian breeds. Lime,
Parkote and Gaddi are the three breeds of Hill buffalo reported in the literature
(Rasali et al 1999). Lime and Parkote buffaloes have been characterised to the
extent of being phenotypically recognisable.
Lime are found in greater number in the northern areas of high hills and
mountains, Parkote are found more towards the southern mid hills. Recently,
Rasali et al (1998b) reported four distinct clusters of hill buffaloes in the Western
Hills- viz. Lime breed type, Parkote breed type, Lime dominant intermediate type
and Parkote dominant intermediate type. These four clusters of Hill buffalo types
which form majority of the buffalo population, are found to have karyotype of
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riverine buffalo, leaving probably no possibility that there could be any swamp
buffalo in the country (Rasali et al, 1998b). Gaddi buffaloes are found in the Farwestern Development Region.
Hill buffalo breeds of Nepal
Lime buffalo:
A Lime breed buffalo in the western hills (Photo by Dr. D.P. Rasali)
The pure breed Lime (pronounced as limè) is believed to have originated from
wild Arna (Bubalus arnii), and has been domesticated throughout the known
history of Nepal. They are found more towards the higher altitude of the hills in
the country. The Lime buffalo is estimated at 35% of the total indigenous buffalo
population in the hills and mountains of the country as calculated from the data
from Rasali (1998) and Rasali (2000).
Phenotypically, the Lime buffalo are light brown and relatively small in body size,
with characteristic chevrons of gray or white hair below the jaws and around the
brisket, and small sickle shaped horns curved towards the neck (Rasali 1998).They
have gray coat color; gray brown or blackish skin color, black muzzle; grayish,
brownish or whitish eye brow; grayish, brownish or whitish leg markings; whitish
chevron marks around the neck and brisket (Rasali et al., 1998b).
Data averaged for adult females (n=96) are as follows :Body weight=399.1 kg;
Height at wither=115.1; Body length =126.3 cm; Girth = 168.4;face length= 44.7
cm; Fore head width= 21.5 cm; Horn base circumference=20.6 cm Horn length=
46.2 cm. (Rasali et al., 1998b). Wither Height averaged 20 cm; Ear length averaged
20 cm; Average tail length is 82 cm (Pradhan et al, 1996).
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Parkote buffalo:
A Parkote breed buffalo in Palpa district in the western hills. Other Parkote
buffalo (on the background) wallowing in a village pond (Photo by Dr. D.P. Rasali)
Parkote buffalo are the typical buffalo of the mid hill and river valleys of Nepal.
However, due to traditional practice of crossbreeding this breed with Lime buffalo
and also due to recent crossbreeding efforts with Indian Murrah, their population
in pure form is declining. Now, pure breed population is estimated at only 25 % of
the indigenous population of buffaloes in the hills and mountains in Nepal.
Phenotypically, the Parkote buffalo are dark in coat color and medium built body
size, with sword-shaped horns directed laterally or towards the back of the body
(Rasali, 1998; Pradhan et al., 1996).They have black coat color; black skin color;
black muzzle; black eye brow; usually no leg markings; and chevron marks absent
(Rasali et al., 1998).
Biometrical data averaged for adult females (n=88) as as follows :Body
weight=409.9 kg; Height at wither=114.9 cm; Body length =124.7 cm; Girth =
170.5 cm; face length= 44.6 cm; Fore head width= 21.2 cm; Horn base
circumference=20.9 cm; Horn length= 46 cm. (Rasali et al., 1998).
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Gaddi buffalo
Gaddi buffaloes are quite distinct from the other indigenous buffaloes. They are
bigger in size, better in milk production and adaptable in harsh feeding system.
This breed is docile in temperament and well tractable. They are found
predominantly black in coat color (92%), but some time in brown and light brown
color also (4% each). They have long face and flat head with long curved horns.
White big patch on forehead is the distinguished feature of this animal. Horns of
the Gaddi buffalo are long, flat and curved backwards to the neck. Ears are in
hanging position. They have tough dewlap and hump is absent. This breed has
comparatively short and strong legs with broad hoofs. Tail and switch are
reasonably long and extended below hock. Udder is tough, teats are cylindrical in
shape and equal in placement.
Growth and production characteristics of this breed seem to be better compared
with other indigenous buffaloes breeds. The average body length, height at
wither, chest girth and height at hip bone of she Gaddi buffalo were found to be
141.2±1.63, 131.3±1.1, 194.98±1.8 and 122.69±1.07 cm. respectively, which are
significantly (P < 0.01) higher than Lime and Terai buffaloes.
Problems related to buffalo farming:
Approaches for improvement
A study on indigenous Gaddi buffalo of far-western region of Nepal was
conducted to understand the production parameters and husbandry practices
intending to make future strategy for improvement. The breed is well known in
the far-western districts of Nepal and adapted in hills and mountains of the region
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with diverse climatic conditions. Among 3 identified buffalo breeds (Gaddi, Lime
and Parkote) and one under study (Terai), Gaddi was found morphologically larger
and docile in temperament.
Result and conclusion
Buffalo is a major livestock commodity for milk and meat production and
scattered throughout the country from Terai plain land of southern border to high
mountains of northern hills. Parkote buffalo are the typical buffalo of the mid hill
and river valleys of Nepal. Lime buffalo are found more towards the higher
altitude of the hills in the country. Gaddi buffalo are good milkers that utilize the
pasture land in the slopes of mid-hills and high mountains. Unavailability of
sufficient and nutritious fodder in the forest round the year and improper
nutritional management of buffalo restricted the utilization of full genetic
potential of the breeds. Due to improper management practices and lack of
awareness their productivity and number of pure bred animals is declining
gradually. Introduction of imported sires from abroad for cross breeding program
without evaluating adaptability and acclimatization creates the threats an
existence of the breed. Relying on their importance in the region and in the
country a systematic approach for conservation and improvement need to be
identified and implemented of productivity and to control the dwindling
population on awareness and training program among farmers seems essential.
Appropriate selection program within the breed, literacy and consciousness on
overall buffalo management, exploitation of advance breeding tools as AI in the
areas and a conservation plan are some of the activities which certainly resolve
the problem.
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References:
Pradhan, S.L., Sherchand, L. and Shrestha, N.P. 1996. Policy and strategy for
conservation of animal genetic resources in Nepal. Department of Livestock
Services, Lalitpur, Nepal.
Rasali, D.P. 1998. Present status of indigenous buffalo genetic resources in the
western hills of Nepal. Proceedings of the 4th Global Conference on Conservation
of Domestic Animal Genetic Resources. Rare Breeds International. p. 168-170.
Rasali, D.P. 2000. Recent trends in buffalo production in Nepal- a review. Buffalo
Newsletter. The FAO Inter-Regional Cooperative Research Network on Buffalo,
Europe-Near East. No. 14, pp-6-10.
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