Scenario and strategies for sustainable buffalo production in Eastern region of India

Rearing buffaloes is one of the important activities in low input livestock management system of Eastern region of India. The region possesses almost 20% of total buffalo population of the country though the population is declining in many states. Bihar and Jharkhand are the only states in which growth in buffalo population is witnessed. Most of the buffaloes in the Eastern region belong to riverine type. Performance of the buffaloes in terms of milk production traits, though varying, it is significant in many pockets in the region. Various strategies which comprise field, farm and laboratory activities have been discussed in this paper in order to improve the productivity of buffaloes vis-à-vis livelihood status of poor and needy farmers.