Utility, Morphometrical characteristics of Assamese buffalo and Socio-economic status of the breeders in its home tract

Abstract

Present study was conducted through systematic survey of 18 villages in three districts (Kamrup, Nagaon and Darang) of Asom, India, using stratified random sampling technique. Total 52 Khutis (open herds) having 3310 buffaloes of different age and sex under farmers management, were purposively selected for utility and morphometrical studies of the breed and socio-economic status of the breeders in its home tract. The morphometrical traits, viz. Length of forehead ranged 23.81±0.70 to 48.42±0.94cm, neck length (22.91±0.66 to 39.82±1.02 cm), horn length (8.00±0.25 to 67.10±0.64 cm), space between two horns at base (9.14±0.24 to 18.52±0.64 cm) and tips (18.12±0.24 to 43.43±0.75 cm), tail length (44.60±0.45 to 80.60±0.85cm), and length of switch of the tail (8.09±0.20 to 15.89±0.20cm) were observed for the animals of both the sexes belonging to the age groups of up to 6 months, 6-12 m, 1-2 year, 2-3 years, 3-4 years and 4 years and above. The study shows that the animals are being utilized for milk only (82.69%) and milk and meat (17.31%). It was also found that 40.38% breeders are receiving an income ranges from Rs 50,000 to 75,000 and 28.85% breeders getting more in between 75,000 to 1,00,000 per year out of these animals, besides age, education level, land holding, family size and number of paid graziers were also studied. The Assamese buffalo breed is a very good source of livelihood for tribals, nomads and poor farmers, hence immediate steps should be taken to save this valuable breed in its natural habitat.