Bhubaneswar: The Manda buffalo found in the Eastern Ghat and Koraput plateau in Odisha has been recognised as the 19th unique breed of buffaloes found in the country by the National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources (NBAGR).
NBAGR gave the indigenous recognition to this breed after thoroughly assessing a survey report submitted by Odisha’s Animal Resource Development (ARD) and Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT).
The ARD and OUAT identified the germ-plasm of the breed through a survey done under leadership of former ARD Director Bishnupada Sethi and animal geneticist of OUAT Susanta Kumar Dash.
The buffaloes are small in size and are used for ploughing and other agricultural activities in Koraput, Malkangiri and Nabarangpur districts.
here are around one lakh Manda buffaloes in the region. The average single milk yield of these buffaloes is 2-2.5 litres with more than 8% fat. However, some of the yield goes up to 4 litres.
The Manda buffaloes mature in three years and give birth to the first calf in the fourth year. During their 20-year life span, they give birth to a calf every 1.5 to 2 years.
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