The National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources (NBAGR) has recognised the Manda buffalo as the 19th unique breed of buffaloes found in India.

Highlights:

=> This buffalo germ-plasm was first identified through a detailed survey conducted by the Animal Resource Development (ARD) Department of Odisha in collaboration with Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT).

=> With Manda buffalo recognised by NBAGR, it will be incumbent upon both Centre and State governments to devise a strategy for the conservation of these buffaloes.

• Four breeds of cattle — Binjharpuri, Motu, Ghumusari and Khariar — and two breeds of buffalo — Chilika and Kalahandi — and one breed of sheep, Kendrapada, have already received NBAGR recognition.

About Manda buffalo:

=> Manda buffaloes are native to Odisha and have ash grey and grey coat colour with copper colour hairs.

=> The lower part of their legs up to the elbow is light-coloured with copper-colour hair at the knee. Some animals are silver-white in colour. These sturdy buffaloes are small-sized.

=> They are found in the Eastern Ghats and plateau of the Koraput region of Odisha.

=> The Manda are resistant to parasitic infections, less prone to diseases and can live, produce and reproduce at low or nil input systems.

=> Manda buffaloes mature at around 3 years and drop the first calf at around 4 years.

• Every 1.5 to 2 years they give birth to a calf for the whole life of around 20 years.

Utility:

=> The small, sturdy buffaloes are used for ploughing in their native habitat of the Koraput, Malkangiri and Nabarangpur districts.

=> There are around 1,00,000 buffaloes of this breed in the native tract mostly contributing to the family nutrition of households and assisting in all the agricultural operations in the undulated hilly terrain for generations.

=> The average milk yield of these buffaloes is 2 to 2.5 litres in single milking with more than eight percent fat. However, a few of those yield up to four litres.

By: ASRAF UDDIN AHMED