The SAC team comprising of Dr. Md. Baktear Hossain, Director SAC and Dr. Younus Ali, Senior Programme Specialist (livestock) visited National Buffalo Breeding Farm, Bagerhat, on 1-3 September, 2023 to assess the performance of Nili Ravi buffalo calves born through artificial insemination of pedigreed buffalo semen under the initiative on “High Yielding Dairy Breed Development in SAARC Countries”.

About 33 calves were born during the period of 2018 as a result of successful artificial insemination of she-buffaloes. Out of the 33 calves, twenty-eight are surviving. The birth weight of new borne calves’ ranges from 25 to 41 kg; with an average body weight of 33.6±1.63 kg. Out of those calves born, eighteen (18) were male and seventeen (17) were female; representing 50% male and 50% female. Considering the male calves only, the average birth weight was 36.28 kg, while it was 31.25 kg in case of female buffalo calves. All the calves born through artificial insemination sound healthy and growing well with the dietary schedule adopted by the management of farm. The mature body weight of the buffalo was found around 400 kg. The male calves were sold out in the local areas that are using as breeding purpose. Only few calves were also sold at community level that buffalo’s performance were found higher than farm level. It was reported that the milk production of first generation of Nili Ravi Buffalo was found 5-8 litter and second generation was 8-12 litter. The calf mortality was found 10% at farm level.

In future, the management of farm thinking to ensure green fodder availability to the entire stock for better health and reproductive performance of the buffaloes.

In the discussion meeting with Director of DLS Khulna Division, he shared with us that Since Murrah breed is well adapted in Bangladesh climatic condition so the Government of Bangladesh is thinking to introduce to develop high yielding dairy buffalo in Bangladesh.

Recommendation:

SAARC Agriculture Centre will take initiative to provide the germplasm of Murrah Buffalo breed with the consideration of the Member States demand under the Materials transfer agreement of SAARC.