Reported by : San pedro , Rachel B.

AgribussiesTTh- 09:00-11:00

Ms. Arce

The water buffalo or domestic Asian water buffalo (Bubalusbubalis) is a large bovine animal, frequently used as livestock in southern Asia , and also widely in South America ,southern Europe , north Africa , and elsewhere.

is one of the agencies under the government of the Republic Of The Philippines. It is under the organization of the Department of Agriculture. The main concern of this agency is doing research on the Philippine Carabao .It was sponsored as a bill by the then senator Joseph Estrada and eventually enacted as a law through Republic Act 7307 or the Philippine Carabao Act of 1992.

Ensure the propagation of the Philippine carabao and promote its potential as a good companion in farming, meat, dairy products and hide.

To give small scale farmers a chance to procure high quality carabao breeds and stocks at affordable prices.

Institute training programs that would allow for better transfer of technology regarding the proper care of the animals as well as the processing of its other products like meat and milk.

As the human population grows in the country, the Philippine Carabao Commission also has to ensure that the carabao population could keep up with the demand.

Do research on how to strengthen the various breeds of carabao and how the reproduction process could be streamlined.

Strive hard to get donations and grants for more research through the Department of Agriculture from local advocates and foreign institutions

Asia is the native home of the water buffalo , with 95% of the world population of water buffalo, with about half of the total in India. It is valuable for its meat and milk, as well as the labour it The fat content of buffalo milk is the highest amongst farm animals and the butterfat is a major source of ghee in some Asian countries.

Swamp buffalo were introduced into the Northern Territory from Timor early in the 19th century as a food source and a beast of burden. During the 1950s, buffalo were hunted for their skins, and meat which was exported and used in the local trade.

They are an economic asset by serving as a protein source, draft animal, and storage of family or household wealth. In some areas, they also provide occasional recreation at annual racing festivals. These buffalo are mostly river buffalo; due to genetic isolation, they have adopted a distinct appearance. Buffalo milk is used for production.

There are very limited commercial herds in North America, He uses them primarily for meat production (frequently sold as hamburger), for yogurt and cheese products ,

Their dung is used as a fertilizer and as a fuel when dried.

buffalo horns are used for the embouchure of musical instruments such as ney and kaval .

Water buffalo hide provides a tough and useful leather , often used for shoes and motorcycle helmets . The bones and horns are often made into jewelry , especially earrings.

Carabao marketing in the Philippines is not organized and usually more to the advantage of the middlemen.

Several middlemen undertake trading function. Considered important channels of distribution, are barrio agents, shippers, Manila based buyers (dealers and butcher-retailers) and meat retailers. The existence of so many middlemen in the distribution network is disadvantageous to both the producers who received relatively low price for their products and the consumers who pay relatively high price for meat products.

Studies have shown that in carabao marketing, profit as percentage or gross margin ranged from 60 to 88%. Marketing efficiency can be increased by reducing the number of stages in the marketing channels and increase direct selling from producers to butcher-retailers or processors.

Constituents unit Cow Goat

Sheep

Buffalo

Water g 87.8 88.9 83.0 81.1

Protein g 3.2 3.1 5.4 4.5

Fat g 3.9 3.5 6.0 8.0

Carbohydrate

g 4.8 4.4 5.1 4.9

Energy kcal 66 60 95 110

kJ 275 253 396 463

Sugars (Lactose)

g 4.8 4.4 5.1 4.9

Fatty Acids:Saturated

g 2.4 2.3 3.8 4.2

Mono-unsaturated

g 1.1 0.8 1.5 1.7

Polyunsaturated

g 0.1 0.1 0.3 0.2

Cholesterol

mg 14 10 11 8

Calcium

iu 120 100 170 195

CountryProduction (tonnes)

Footnote

India 56 960 000 * Pakistan 21 500 000 P People's Republic of China

2 900 000 F

 Egypt 2 300 000 F Nepal 930 000 F Iran 241 500 F Myanmar 205 000 F Italy 200 000 F Turkey 35 100 F Vietnam 31 000 F World 85396902 ASource: Food And Agricultural Organization of United Nations Economic And Social Department: The Statistical Division