India has a wealth of buffalo germplasm, including the world-renowned Murrah buffaloes- renowned for their high milk production. Aside from wild Asian buffaloes, the country hosts both river and swamp types of Asian buffaloes or Asian water buffalo Bubalus bubalis.
It is estimated (data 2017) that there are 200 million buffaloes in the world, however, 97 per cent of them reside in Asia and India. India hosts 57 per cent of the total world buffalo population amounting to approximately 109 million buffaloes. Swamp buffaloes are used for meat and draught purposes, while river buffaloes are mainly kept for milk production.
Indian economy is greatly influenced by buffaloes, as they contribute 56% of total milk production to India and also contribute in farming and some agribusinesses. Most swamp buffaloes live permanently in marshy areas, where they wallow in mud and eat coarse marsh grass. Much like various breeds of cows found in India, diverse breeds of buffalo can also be seen in India. The most popular breeds of buffalo in India are Murrah, Nili-Ravi, Jaffarabadi, Surti, Mehsana, Kundi, Nagpuri and Bhadawari.
Types of buffalo breeds in India
There are several buffalo breeds in India. Some of the buffalo breeds are mentioned below :
Banni buffalo
Banni buffalo breed is highly adapted to local climate conditions and traditional extensive methods of night grazing. Banni area’s soil is highly mineralized, saline, and sandy, with a low water holding capacity, low permeability, and prone to erosion.
Other names of Banni buffalo breed : Kundi, Kutchi
Banni buffalo Main Use : Milk
Banni buffaloBreeding Tract : Gujarat
Banni buffaloVisible Characteristics : The unique appearance of the horns, which are inverted and double/single coiled. Also vertical and upward.
Banni buffaloOrigin : Around 500 years ago, the Maldharis of Banni arrived in Afganistan from Halieb with their animals in search of pasture. This buffalo breed is named after the locality of “Banni” in Kachchh district.
Banni buffaloColour : Black also occasionally copper colour.
Banni buffaloHorns Shape and Size : Horns are heavy, medium to large in size and curved. In adult banni buffalo’s , the average size of horns is around 24-30 cm.
Banni buffaloMilk yield per lactation(kg) : 1095 – 6054 ( Average 2857.2 )
Bargur buffalo
Bargur buffalo breed is preferably rared in forest area so that it can graze in forest. The buffalo breeds are found in hamlets of bargur village A and B of Anthiyoor taluka, and Gundari and Kadamboor village of Sathyamangalam taluk.
Other names of Bargur buffalo breed : Malai Emmai, Malai Erumai
BargurbuffaloMain Use : Milk, manure
BargurbuffaloBreeding Tract : Tamilnadu
BargurbuffaloVisible Characteristics : Bargur buffalo’s are medium sized cattle. The muzzels and eyelids are black and tail switch is ranges from brown to black in colour. The hoves of the bargur buffalo are black in colour. The coat colour of bargur buffalo is black or brownish black.
BargurbuffaloOrigin : This buffalo breed is named after its breeding tract which is bargur hills in Anthiyoor taluk, Erode district in Tamil Nadu. The local name is malai erumai which means hills buffalo.
BargurbuffaloColour : The colour of bargur buffalo can range from black to light brown to brownish black.
BargurbuffaloHorns Shape and Size : The horns are bent backwards and curve inwards. The horns of male burgar buffalo are medium in size and the horns of female bargur buffalo are medium to long in size.
BargurbuffaloMilk yield per lactation(kg) : -NA-
Bhadawari buffalo
Bhadawari buffalo is know for its low maintenance. It can produce milk and survive in low quality fodder and feed. Bhadawari buffalo is found in ravines of Chmbal, Yamuna and Utangan rivers of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. The breeding of bhadawari buffalo is done in Bah tehsil of Agra, Ambah and Porsa tehsils of Morena, Mahangaon tehsil of Bhind district and Chakarnagar and Barhpura blocks of Etawah.
Bhadawari buffaloVisible Characteristics : Bhadawari buffalo’s have a unique visible characteristic. Two white lines called as chevron also known as kanthy in local language, are visible under the neck.
Bhadawari buffaloOrigin : It is believed that the bhadawari buffalo derived its name from Bhadawer state in India (before independence). Bhadauria clan rared these buffalo breeds.
Bhadawari buffaloColour : The colour of bhadawari buffalo ranges from light copper colour to blackish copper colour.
Bhadawari buffaloHorns Shape and Size : The horns of bhadawari buffalo black in colour and they bend slightly outwards and downwards. The small to medium sized horns run parallel to the neck and slightly bend upwards just before ending in a point.
Chattisgarhi buffalo breed is greatly adapted to Northern hills, central plain and Bastar plateau region of Chattishgarh. They are well known for their strength and endurance and hence males of chattisgari breeds are preferred over other bullock breeds for tilling of rice fields.
Chhattisgarhi buffaloVisible Characteristics : Chhattisgarhi buffalo has a large body structure. It has a straight head with large horns.
Chhattisgarhi buffaloOrigin : These are Indigenous buffalo breeds named after the Indian state Chattisgarh.
Chhattisgarhi buffaloColour : The colour of coat of chattishgarhi buffalo is mostly black but very occasionally grey.
Chhattisgarhi buffaloHorns Shape and Size : The horns of chattisgarhi buffalo are long. The horns bend backwards forming an arc and a little upwards just before forming a point. Average length of horns of male chattisgarhi buffalo is 46.37 cm and Average length of horns of female chattisgarhi buffalo is 51.06 cm.
The breeding tract of Chilika buffalo is mostly saline in nature. These buffalo breeds can easily survive while feeding on aquatic vegetation or submerged weeds of saline water of Chilika lake. The local population prefers the milk and curd of Chilika buffalo breed as it is considered better in taste and has better preservation quality (curd can be preserved for almost a week). These buffalo breeds can be found in the regions like Brahmagiri, Maluda, Tangi, Bhusandapur, Satapada, Parikuda and Krishnaprasad around the Chilika lake.
Other names of Chilikabuffalo breed : Desi, Deshi
ChilikabuffaloMain Use : Milk, draught, manure
ChilikabuffaloBreeding Tract : Odisha
ChilikabuffaloVisible Characteristics : Chilika buffalo has a comparatively small udder and small legs, which results in giving it a unique appearance of compact body and small to medium size.
ChilikabuffaloOrigin : These are Indigenous buffalo breeds named after the breeding tract it is found ; Chilika lake in Odisha state of India.
ChilikabuffaloColour : Black to brownish black.
ChilikabuffaloHorns Shape and Size : The horns of chilika buffalo are bent upwards. Before ending in a tip, the horns further bend inwards. Average length of horns of male chilika buffalo is 48.32±0.24 cm and Average length of horns of female chilika buffalo is 50.76±0.12 cm.
ChilikabuffaloMilk yield per lactation(kg) : 440 – 514 (Average 500)
Gojri buffalo
Gojri buffalo is well adapted to hilly regions and hence are often found scaling steep slopes of hills while grazing. This buffalo breed is also known for its endurance as it can travel long distances without any issue. Playing an important part in the livelihood of Gujjar community, gojri buffalo is treated as a symbol of prosperity and wealth in this community. These buffaloes are found in sub himalayan regions of northen Himachal Pradesh and Punjab.
GojribuffaloVisible Characteristics : Gojri buffalo has a uniquely shaped horn which forms a loop(almost a full circle). These buffaloes have a straight head.
GojribuffaloOrigin : These are Indigenous buffalo breeds named after the Gujjar community which often rares these buffaloes.
GojribuffaloColour : Colour of gojri buffalo can be black or brown.
GojribuffaloHorns Shape and Size : The horns of gojri buffalo are locally called Pattih wale seengh. The horns are thick and medium sized. The horns curl outwards and then inwards forming a circular loop. Average length of horns of male gojri buffalo is 35.75 cm and Average length of horns of female gojri buffalo is 44.61 cm.
GojribuffaloMilk yield per lactation(kg) : 800 – 1200 (Average 1000)
Jaffarabadi buffalo
Jaffarabadi buffalo is well known for its strength. It is also believed that the local community has witnessed it at times, fighting lions in the Gir forest. Rabri, Mer, Aher, and Bhadvad are the local communities which predominently rear this buffalo breed. Jaffarabadi buffalo breed is the main source of livelihood of Maldhri herdmen, providing them means of transport and milk.
Other names of Jaffarabadibuffalo breed : Gir, Bhavanagri, Jaffari
JaffarabadibuffaloMain Use : Milk, transport, draught
JaffarabadibuffaloBreeding Tract : Gujarat
JaffarabadibuffaloVisible Characteristics : The unique visible characteristic of Jaffarabadi buffalo is its small eyes ( also known as study eyes), perticularly in males. The unique shape of the horns also is a very visible trait of this buffalo breed.
JaffarabadibuffaloOrigin : These are Indigenous buffalo breeds named after Jafrabad city in Amreli District, Gujrat.
JaffarabadibuffaloColour : Mostly black. Sometimes white of grey tail switch is also observed.
JaffarabadibuffaloHorns Shape and Size : The horns of jaffarabadi buffalo bend downwards and then move away from the head. The horns then curve upwards and inwards towards the head or neck before ending in a point. The horns are long and often are shapped circular.
JaffarabadibuffaloMilk yield per lactation(kg) : 2150 – 2340 (Average 2239)
Kalahandi buffalo
Much like Bhadawari buffalo, kalahandi buffalow is also a low maintenence buffalow breed. This breed can be found in Kalahandi district and adjoining areas of Rayagada district. These breeds have a heavy population in Junagarh, Kodsara, Bhawanipatna, Golamunda, and Dharmagarh area of Kalahandi district of Odisha state.
Other names of Kalahandibuffalo breed : Deshi
KalahandibuffaloMain Use : Milk, manure, draught
KalahandibuffaloBreeding Tract : Odisha
KalahandibuffaloVisible Characteristics : The head of kalahandi buffalo is convex in shape. The round udder and hump are small in size. The colour of tail, eyelids, hoofs and muzzel is black.
KalahandibuffaloOrigin : These are Indigenous buffalo breeds named after the breeding tract i.e. Kalahandi district in Odisha state.
KalahandibuffaloColour : The coat colour of kalahandi buffalo can be grey or blackish grey.
KalahandibuffaloHorns Shape and Size : The horns are long and can be straight or curved. They move backwards and outwards and have a slight uppish curl at the end. The average size of the horns in kalahandi buffalo is 50 cm.
KalahandibuffaloMilk yield per lactation(kg) : 680 – 912
Luit (Swamp) buffalo
A draught breed known for its power and endurance. One of the main uses of luit buffalo is tilling of local muddy paddy cultivation fields. There are nine districts in the upper valley of the Brahmaputra river in upper Assam covered by the Luit (Swamp) buffalo. In addition to Assam, these buffaloes are also found in bordering areas Manipur, Mizoram and Nagaland.
Other names of Luit (Swamp) buffalo breed : Assamese Swamp
Luit (Swamp) buffaloMain Use : Draught,Milk
Luit (Swamp) buffaloBreeding Tract : Assam
Luit (Swamp) buffaloVisible Characteristics : Medium-sized and strongly built, luit swamp buffaloes have a short tail and prominent wither. Their characteristic features are their broad, concave foreheads topped with prominent eyes, wide muzzles, and distinctive semicircular horns. Both the fore and hind legs are covered in light white stockings up to the knee.downward to the muzzle.
Luit (Swamp) buffaloOrigin : These are Indigenous buffalo breeds named after the river Brahmaputra which is locally known as luit. Originaly, these swamp buffaloes were reared traditionally by the local Assamese population around the swampy areas of the river Brahmaputra.
Luit (Swamp) buffaloColour : Black
Luit (Swamp) buffaloHorns Shape and Size : The horns of luit buffalo are curved laterally backwards and upward. The horns are shaped in a semi circular shape. Average length of horns of male luit buffalo is 60.13 cm and Average length of horns of female luit buffalo is 57.13 cm.
Marathwadi buffaloes breeding tract includes Parbhani, Nanded, Beed, Jalna and Latur in Maharashtra state. Milk and draught/transport purposes are both served by this breed. Cattle and buffaloes are kept together in a mixed herd in a semi-intensive management system. Sugar cane leaves/tops, sorghum, paddy straw, and grasses are common feedings.
Other names of Marathwadi buffalo breed : Dudhana Thadi, Ellichpuri
Marathwadi buffaloMain Use : Milk, transport, draught
Marathwadi buffaloBreeding Tract : Maharashtra
Marathwadi buffaloVisible Characteristics : The size and the shape of the horns are a unique visible characteristics of marathwadi buffalo. Unlike pandharpuri buffalo, the horns of this buffalo reach upto the shoulder level.
Marathwadi buffaloOrigin : These are Indigenous buffalo breeds named after Marathwada region in maharashtra.
Marathwadi buffaloColour : Jet black or greyish black coat colour. White markings can be seen on the forehead and lower parts of the limbs of some buffaloes.
Marathwadi buffaloHorns Shape and Size : The horns are long and run parallel to the neck. The horns reach upto shoulder, however not crosing the shoulder blade level. The average length of horns in marathwadi buffalo is 43 cm.
Marathwadi buffaloMilk yield per lactation(kg) : 1118
Mehsana buffalo
Mehsana buffalo breed was born by cross breeding Murrah buffalo breed and Surti buffalo breed. This breed is generally populated in Kadi, Sidhpur, Radhanpura, Mehsana, Radhanpura, Patan and Kalol town in Gujarat. This breed is considered as a very good breeder and consistent milk producer.
Other names of Mehsana buffalo breed : Mehsani, Mahesani
Mehsana buffaloMain Use : Milk
Mehsana buffaloBreeding Tract : Gujarat
Mehsana buffaloVisible Characteristics : One of the very visible characteristics of mehsana buffalo is its black bright eyes which seems to bulge out of its eye socket. The upper part of the eye lids have a very prominent skin folding pattern.
Mehsana buffaloOrigin : These are Indigenous buffalo breeds named after a town in state of Gujarat called Mehsana.
Mehsana buffaloColour : Black. however, occasionally brown or blackish brown.
Mehsana buffaloHorns Shape and Size : The horns curl backwards, upwards and inwards in the shape of a sickle (more as compared to Surti breed and less as compared to Murrah breed).
Murrah breed of buffalo is generally found in Bhiwani, Gurgaon, Hisar, Fatehabad, Jind, Hisar district of Delhi and Haryana. However, this breed can also be found in some parts of western Uttar Pradesh and Punjab state of India. In all parts of the world, this breed is used to grade-up nondescript buffaloes and plays a vital role in the livestock industries of many developing countries, such as Bulgaria, Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam, Brazil, and Sri Lanka.
Male buffaloes of Murrah breed are used for both draught and breeding activities.
Other names of Murrah buffalo breed : Kundi, Delhi, Kali
Murrah buffaloMain Use : Milk, Draught
Murrah buffaloBreeding Tract : Delhi, Haryana
Murrah buffaloVisible Characteristics : Murrah buffalo is considerably bigger in size with broad hips. The unique curved horns (similar to Mehsana buffalo but longer) are mounted on a very big head. This buffalo breed has a ell developed udder and long neck. Occasionally, tail switch has white spotting.
Murrah buffaloOrigin : These are Indian Indigenous buffalo breeds.
Murrah buffaloColour : Dark black.
Murrah buffaloHorns Shape and Size : The horns are short and curve to form almost a circle. The horns rise upwards, backwards and then inwards ending in a point.
Nagpuri buffalo breed is greatly adapted to warm and hot climate of Vidarbha region. Since these buffaloes are very strong, this breed is used extensively for draught purposes. This buffalo breed has lower maintenance cost. Nagpuri buffalo is local to the Vidharba region of Maharashtra state. Akola, Amravati, Yavatmal, Wardha and Nagpur are part of the breeding tract for the nagpuri buffalo breed. One of the main purpose of rearing this breed of buffalo is for production of fat.
Other names of Nagpuri buffalo breed : Gaolavi, Puranthadi, Gangauri, Berari, Ellichpuri, Gaolaogan, Chanda, Varhadi, Arvi, Shahi, Gaorani
Nagpuri buffaloMain Use : Draught, milk
Nagpuri buffaloBreeding Tract : Maharashtra
Nagpuri buffaloVisible Characteristics : The visible characteristics of nagpuri buffalo is its typical size and shape of the horns.
Nagpuri buffaloOrigin : These are Indian Indigenous buffalo breeds named after its breeding tract of Nagpur in Maharashtra state.
Nagpuri buffaloColour : The colour of the coat is black. Presence of white spots can be seen on the face, tail tips and legs.
Nagpuri buffaloHorns Shape and Size : Long, flat, and curved, the horns bend backward and extend nearly to the shoulders on both sides of the neck with tips mostly pointing upwards. Male nagpuri buffalo has thicker and heavier horns as compared to nagpuri female buffaloes. Average length of nagpuri buffalo horn is 50-65 cm.
Nili Ravi buffaloes are native to the state of Punjab in India, between the Sutluj and Ravi rivers. This breed of buffalo can be found in Gurdaspur, Ferozepur, and Amritsar disctrict of Punjab. Nili ravi buffalo is good milker as compared to Murrah buffalo.
Other names of Nili Ravi buffalo breed : Panch Kalyani
Nili Ravi buffaloMain Use : Milk
Nili Ravi buffaloBreeding Tract : Punjab
Nili Ravi buffaloVisible Characteristics : Nili Ravi buffalo has white spotting on face, muzzle, tail, leg and forehead. They have walled eyes. A particularly striking feature of female nili ravi buffaloes is their white markings known as “Panch Kalyani”.
Nili Ravi buffaloOrigin : Originally, Nili and Ravi were two different breeds, but with time and intensive crossbreeding, the two breeds were crossed and this led to the birth of Nili Ravi. The word nili is was coined to the name of the breed because of the blue waters of the river Satluj.
Nili Ravi buffaloColour : Black.
Nili Ravi buffaloHorns Shape and Size : The horns are small in size and curl backwards almost forming a ring.
Nili Ravi buffaloMilk yield per lactation(kg) : 1586 – 1929 (Average 1850)
Pandharpuri buffalo
AMaharashtra’s breeding tract includes Solapur, Sangli, and Kolhapur districts. The local breeders in this breeding tract are Gawali and Joshi. Pandharpuri buffalo breed population can be mostly found in Pandharpur, North Solapur, South Solapur, Barshi, Akkalkot, Sangola and Mangalvedha tehsils of Solapur district; Miraj, Walwa, Jathand Tasgaon tehsils of Sangli district; and Karveer, Shirol, Panhala, Radhanagri, Hatkanangale and Gadhinglaj tehsils of Kolhapur district.
Other names of Pandharpuri buffalo breed : -None-
Pandharpuri buffaloMain Use : Draught, milk
Pandharpuri buffaloBreeding Tract : Maharashtra
Pandharpuri buffaloVisible Characteristics : Pandharpuri buffaloes have a distinctive long horns. this buffalo has a long, straight and very prominent nasal bone.
Pandharpuri buffaloOrigin : These are Indian Indigenous buffalo breeds named after Pandharpur town of Solapur district in Maharashtra.
Pandharpuri buffaloColour : Light or jet black coat colour with occasional white spotting on legs, tail and forehead.
Pandharpuri buffaloHorns Shape and Size : The horns of pandharpuri buffalo are very long, extending beyond the shoulder blade and some times even upto the pin bone. The horns can be catagorized in 3 categories : Toki – Usually bending outward and curving backwards and upwards ; Bharkand – Twisted and curling backwards ; Meti – Flat, bending downwards.
Pandharpuri buffaloMilk yield per lactation(kg) : 1790.6
Surti buffalo
Surti buffalo weighs less than heavy breeds, needs less feed, thrive on stovers and little to no green fodder, and produce milk that contains high amounts of fat and SNF. Because of the low maintanence requirements, its prefered buffalo breed of marginal and small farmers. Gujarat’s breeding tract of this buffalo includes Vadodara, Bharuch, Kheda and Surat.
Other names of Surti buffalo breed : Deccani, Nadiadi, Charotari, Talabda, Gujarati
Surti buffaloMain Use : Milk
Surti buffaloBreeding Tract : Gujarat
Surti buffaloVisible Characteristics : Surti buffalo is a medium sized buffalo. It has a very distinctive set of hite bands running don the neck.
Surti buffaloOrigin : These are Indian Indigenous buffalo breeds named after Surat districts of Gujarat.
Surti buffaloColour : Black or rusty-brown or silver-grey.
Surti buffaloHorns Shape and Size : The horns are medium in size and are flat and shaped like a sickle. The horns bend backwards away from the body and downwards and then rise up ending in a point.
Surti buffaloMilk yield per lactation(kg) : 1667
Toda buffalo
Buffaloes of this breed do well in areas with high rainfall and humidity. Generally, toda buffalo is used for work, socio-cultural events, and religious ceremonies. Grazing is the only food source for calve and adult cattle. 3 weeks after birth, young calves are usually taken out for grazing. Grazing occurs in the vicinity of the hamlet, and they are not allowed to mingle with adults in order to prevent suckling.
Other names of Toda buffalo breed : -None-
Toda buffaloMain Use : Draught, Socio-cultural
Toda buffaloBreeding Tract : Tamilnadu
Toda buffaloVisible Characteristics : From the point of origin of the tail to the point of the crest of the neck, a narrow band of dense hair covers the top line. There are two chevron markings, one just around the jowl and one anterior to the brisket.le.
Toda buffaloOrigin : The toda buffalo derived its name from the toda tribe of Nilgiri region.
Toda buffaloColour : A calf is usually fawn when it is born. About 2 months after birth, the fawn color changes to ash gray. Among adult buffaloes, fawn and ash-grey are the predominant coat colors.
Toda buffaloHorns Shape and Size : The horns are very thick at the base. The points of the Horns are recurved inward, forming a characteristic cresent shape or semicircle, usually spaced widely apart, outwardly and slightly downward. The average length of toda buffalo horn is 62 cm.
