An Evaluation on the Current State of Water Buffalo Breeding in Diyarbakır, Identification of Problems and Solutions

Abstract

The present study aimed to determine the current state of water buffalo breeders in Silvan, Bağlar, Yenişehir, and Sur counties of Diyarbakır province in Turkey, and to reveal the aspects of shelter, grazing, calf breeding, brood use, meat and milk production practices, care and health protection, expectations from breeding practices and current problems. The results of the face-to-face surveys were used carried out with a total of 147 business owners engaged in water buffalo breeding in four counties. In the research, the average number of water buffaloes per farm was determined to be 11.03. The breeders have reported that they continue to raise water buffaloes for reasons such as making a living, high quality of water buffalo milk, and benefiting from the available subsidies. The average lactation period of water buffaloes was 7.1 months, the average daily milk obtained per animal was determined to be 3.63 liters. The milk obtained is mostly evaluated as yogurt, cheese, and butter. As a result, it was determined that almost all of the breeders are satisfied with water buffalo breeding, they see breeding as a family profession, and they are aware of the quality and importance of water buffalo products.