Buffalo production and management practices in coastal area of Bangladesh

Abstract

The study was conducted to investigate buffalo production and management practices at Subarno Char Upazilla, under the Noakhali district of Bangladesh. A total of 20 randomly selected households were surveyed directly using a predesigned questionnaire. Mainly two production systems, namely extensive bathan and semi-intensive bathan farming systems, were practiced in the investigated area. Only a very few farmers provided housing facilities during nighttime only. Available natural green fodder was found highest in October and lowest in July due to climatic change in that area. Natural mating was the only breeding method practiced, due to the lack of artificial insemination (AI) provision. A wide range of infectious diseases was found in those areas where 100% of farmers reported foot and mouth disease (FMD), but surprisingly no one reported mastitis. Overall, calf mortality was 25.28% irrespective of breed, age, sex, and farming system. These findings may assist farmers, researchers, and policymakers in making decisions for improved buffalo production in the coastal area of Bangladesh.