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Buffalo is the most neglected species of large ruminant, despite contributing to safe and sustainable milk and meat production in Bangladesh. A survey was conducted at five unions of Shahjadpur upazilla under Sirajganj district which is called the milk pocket area in Bangladesh. The objective of the survey was to find out the socio-economic condition of buffalo farmers in these areas. Prior to conducting the survey work from February to June 2024, a questionnaire was designed and pre-tested. SPSS software was used to statistically analyse the collected data. The results revealed that the majority (84%) of buffalo farmers were male and mostly (72%) practised by middle-aged (30-45 years). The education level of farmers had no schooling (12%), primary (50%), secondary (22%), higher secondary (16%) and graduation (0%), respectively. In the survey area, a majority (76%) of the farmers reared young male (1.5 to 2 years) buffalo for fattening. Additionally, 72% of farmers raised buffaloes with intensive systems and the remaining 28% with semi-intensive. The involvement of respondents in farming, business and others were 84, 8% and 8% respectively. Most (60%) of the farmers dewormed their buffalo regularly but only 28% practised regular vaccination. The main factors limiting buffalo production in the study locations were the high price of concentrate feed (88%), lack of pond for wallowing (70%), lack of improved dairy buffalo breeds (60%), lack of green fodder (30%), unavailability of bank loan (18%) and training facility (24%). The net income from fattening one buffalo per half yearly was BDT 26713. It indicates that rearing buffaloes for fattening purposes in the selected areas was profitable.
Alam et al. (Tue,) studied this question.