Status and Future of Water Buffalo Husbandry in the World and Turkey

Abstract

In this study, evaluation of various indicators in terms of water buffalo husbandry in the World and in Turkey, and some predictions about the future is intended. In recent years, trends in organic animal production have made livestock branches presently preserving traditional production structures, again important. Water buffalo husbandry is also an important livestock branch and is expected to contribute to meeting these demands when the new trends in animal husbandry are taken into consideration. The fact that water buffalo husbandry is mostly prominent in the Asian continent, where traditional production systems are maintained, clearly shows the need for a conversion. In fact, it is observed that more modern approaches have started to be adopted in water buffalo husbandry in some European countries and it is understood that the industrial dimensions of this production branch have been tried to be strengthened. The water buffalo husbandry in Turkey is distinguished with dramatic declines in populations, raising, health care, production of water buffalo products and the lack of marketing issues until recent years. As a result, water buffalo husbandry in the world and in our country is characterized by a traditional production system, but in some European countries, it is seen that improvements and developments in this branch are important. There is a need to create awareness of water buffalo breeding, feeding, herd management, health protection, and effective organization channels, and to look at it as an alternative animal production branch towards some animal products.

Keywords

• anatolian water buffalo
• water buffalo
• buffalo breeds
• buffalo products
• water buffalo milk