Buffaloes and Their Role in Strengthening Punjab’s Dairy Economy

Kanwarpal Singh Dhillon¹* and Bikramjit Singh²

¹Assistant Professor, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Amritsar, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab, India. *E-mail: kanwardhillon55@pau.edu *Tel: +91-9915678787

²In-charge, Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Amritsar, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab, India.

Buffaloes are rightly called the “Black Gold” of India, as they are a major source of milk, meat, and hides. In 2022–23, buffaloes contributed about 44.8% of India’s total milk production, underscoring their vital role in the dairy sector. Unlike cows, buffaloes are well-adapted to diverse climatic conditions across India and exhibit greater disease resistance. They also maintain steady milk production even when fed on relatively low-quality fodder. This makes them highly valuable in the current scenario of agricultural challenges.

The best buffalo breeds of the world are found in northern India, particularly the Murrah and Nili-Ravi, which are globally recognized for their high productivity and quality milk.

Major Buffalo Breeds

• Murrah: Known as the highest milk-yielding buffalo breed, it originated in Rohtak, Hisar, and Jind districts of Haryana, later spreading to adjoining regions. In Punjab, it is common in Nabha and Patiala areas. Murrah buffaloes yield 2,400–3,500 kg per lactation with fat content exceeding 7%.
• Nili-Ravi: Famous for good milk yield and high-fat milk, this breed evolved from the earlier Nili and Ravi types, which merged through extensive crossbreeding. It is concentrated in districts like Amritsar, Gurdaspur, Tarn Taran, and Ferozepur. The average yield is 2,400–2,700 kg per lactation with fat content above 7%.

Contribution of Buffaloes to Punjab’s Dairy Sector

Dairying forms the backbone of Punjab’s rural economy. In 2020–21, agriculture and allied occupations contributed 27.7% of Punjab’s GDP, with livestock accounting for 36.9% of agricultural income. Dairy alone contributed 82% of this livestock share.

Punjab leads the country in milk availability, with 1,283 grams per capita per day (2022–23) compared to the national average of about 444 grams. The state produced 14.30 million tonnes of milk in 2022–23, of which 59.4% came from buffaloes. Clearly, buffaloes are central to sustaining Punjab’s dairy economy.

Buffaloes in Punjab are primarily reared for milk production, traditionally under a semi-intensive production system. In recent years, however, the dairy sector has gradually shifted toward a more intensive production model. This transformation, coupled with changes in breeding policies, has encouraged livestock keepers to include crossbred cows in their herds, leading to a noticeable increase in their population. Despite this trend, buffaloes continue to hold a prominent place in Punjab’s dairying system due to their adaptability and economic value. In terms of production structure, most of the milk in Punjab (70%) is produced by small and medium dairy farms (2–10 animals). Large or commercial farms contribute around 25%, while domestic dairies account for about 1%, and the remaining 4% comes from peri-urban dairies.

Buffalo Population Trends

According to 2019–20 statistics, Punjab had 65.47 lakh dairy animals, of which 40.15 lakh (61.3%) were buffaloes. However, buffalo numbers have steadily declined from 57.64 lakh in 1992 to 40.15 lakh in 2019, showing a 22.2% drop since the last census in 2012 (Table 1).

Table 1: Buffalo Population (1992 to 2019)

Category	Buffalo population (Lakhs) – Punjab						% Change
	1992	1997	2003	2007	2012	2019	2012-2019
Female Buffaloes	52.86	54.17	53.98	45.44	46.26	38.38	-17.0
Male Buffaloes	4.78	7.54	5.97	5.16	5.33	1.77	-66.8
Total Buffaloes	57.64	61.71	59.95	50.6	51.59	40.15	-22.2

Milk Production and Productivity

Punjab contributed 6.2% of India’s total milk production (230.58 million tonnes) in 2022–23. Buffalo milk output in the state has risen steadily from 2.55 million tonnes in 1980–81 to 8.5 million tonnes in 2022–23.

• District leaders: Ludhiana recorded the highest buffalo milk production (1,016 tonnes), followed by Patiala (750 tonnes).
• Productivity: With 9.52 kg milk/day/animal, Punjab ranks second in India after Haryana but far above the national average (6.06 kg).

This progress is largely credited to the National Breed Improvement Programme, which promotes elite breeds like Murrah and Nili-Ravi. The target is to raise productivity to 11 kg/day/animal.

Advantages of Buffalo Milk

Buffalo milk contains 7.4% fat and 15.5% total solids, compared to cow milk’s 4% fat. Thus, the milk of a buffalo producing 2,500 kg per lactation (7% fat) is nutritionally equivalent to the milk of a cow yielding 4,000 kg at 4% fat. Its rich fat content makes it ideal for producing ghee, mozzarella cheese, khoa, paneer, and milk powder. Additionally, buffaloes are generally more economical to maintain, with lower medical expenses compared to crossbred cows.

This is why, our state and country need to reform the breeding policy, in which the farmers should be encouraged to raise buffaloes as a major dairy animal because not only buffaloes are more productive than cows, but buffaloes are also used for meat purpose. This will increase the meat export and may also improve the agricultural economy.

Future Directions and Recommendations

Buffaloes will remain crucial to Punjab’s dairy sector, but their declining population and rising preference for crossbred cows demand timely interventions. The following steps are recommended:

1. Value addition: Promote processing of buffalo milk into high-value products like mozzarella, khoa, sweets, and ghee, leveraging its superior sensory and nutritional properties.
2. Meat potential: Buffalo meat contributes 43.6% of Punjab’s total meat output. Rearing male calves and utilizing unproductive animals can generate additional income and employment.
3. Early maturity: With first calving at 3.8 years, farmers face economic challenges. Research should focus on reducing age at first lactation, while governments can support farmers through targeted subsidies.
4. Viable herd size: Studies by Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana (GADVASU) suggest that buffalo farms should maintain at least seven animals to be economically viable.
5. Record keeping: Encouraging farmers to maintain income–expense records will help identify gaps and maximize profits.
6. Training: Before starting dairy farming, farmers should undergo training at Krishi Vigyan Kendras, Punjab Dairy Development Board, or GADVASU, where they also learn about available government schemes and subsidies.

Conclusion

Buffaloes continue to be the backbone of Punjab’s dairy industry, contributing significantly to milk, meat, and value-added products. With scientific interventions, policy support, and farmer training, Punjab has the potential to emerge as a global leader in buffalo dairying. Strengthening this sector will not only sustain rural livelihoods but also enhance the state’s agricultural economy.