9 - NSF Digital Library

BUFFALO PRODUCTION SYSTEMS IN SOUTH EAST
ASIA AND POSSIBILITIES FOR TRANSFER OF
APPROPRIATE TECHNOLOGIES TO IMPROVE
PRODUCTIVITY: AN OVERVIEW
V.. G. Momongan
Institute of Animal Science, College of Agriculture
University of the Philippines at Los Bailos
College Laguna 4031
THE PHILIPPINES
Abstract: Swamp buffaloes which are predominant in Southeast (SE) Asia are
raised by smallholder farmers primarily for draught. Buffalo production in SE
Asia has always been an integral component of crop production. While 96.5%
of the world buffalo population are in Asia, only 12% are in SE Asia.
Decreasing trends in buffalo populations are occurring in Brunei, Malaysia,
Philippines and Thailand. Increasing trends in the use of tractors to replace or
combine with buffalo draught power are occurring throughout SE Asia.
Thailand and Indonesia had 337% and 279% increase in the number of tractors,
respectively, in 1993 compared to that in 1979-8 1. Inspite ofthe increasing use
of the tractor for tillage, buffalo is predicted to remain with smallholder farmers
in SE Asia because of distinct advantages appreciated by farmers.
The different buffdo produdion systems are briefly discussed. Buffalo
beef production had increased substantially in 1994 compared to that during
1979-81, contributing 26% of the total beef production in Asia and SE Asia.
However, the contribution of buffalo beef to total meat production was very
small, indicating a tremendous potential for the buffalo meat to take a greater
share of the market for meat products. The contribution of buffalo milk to total
milk production was 40% in Asia and only 11% in SE Asia, supporting the
observation that swamp buffaloes are not primarily used for millcing.
Appropriate technologies to improve the productivity of swamp buffaloes are
also discussed.
Keywords: Buffalo, production systems, SE Asia, appropriate techuologies,
productivity.