Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture, Santoshnagar, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh.
The paper has analyzed the supply chain and sustainability issues in the Murrah buffalo rearing on urban farms in Hyderabad. It has identified three major supply channels of murrah buffalo: (i) Haryana trader's representative stationed in Hyderabad arranging supply; (ii) Hyderabad trader's representative stationed in Haryana and arranging supply, and (iii) Farmers having personal contacts purchasing from Haryana. The price of buffalo is decided on the basis of its milk yield (Rs 4500 to Rs 5200 for each litre of milk yield). With a continuous export of good quality murrah buffalo with no organized efforts for their sustainable production, the availability of such animals has become difficult in Haryana. Further, about one-third of the graded buffaloes mostly murrah, are sold to the butchers in Hyderabad. The majority of the superior germplasm calves are also sold for veal production to the slaughter houses. Such a system of marketing and production is resulting in loss of precious germplasm. The study has suggested that a sincere effort should be made to facilitate transfer of these superior graded dry buffaloes and their calves to the rural areas are with arrangement for treatment of infertility problems. This will go a long way for sustainable dairy farming and increasing income of rural dairy farmers.
