A new initiative that promises to boost farmers’ livelihoods has sparked a lot of excitement and raised some pertinent questions. It is about the plan to recruit dairy farmers to rear high milk-yielding water buffaloes.
This is in response to the government’s plan to introduce domesticated South Asian water buffaloes to help curb the country’s persistent cow milk shortages. President William Ruto has cited India’s thriving buffalo-dairy sector as a successful global model.
He has acknowledged the endemic milk shortages, attributing the challenges facing the dairy farmers to drought and the high cost of animal feeds. Some 800 orders have already been received from farmers seeking to acquire water buffaloes for milk, meat and leather production.
Livestock Production Principal Secretary Jonathan Mueke says the veterinary requirements for the importation of the animals from India have been completed.
High butterfat content makes buffalo milk suitable for high-value dairy products such as cheese, yoghurt, butter and ghee. However, the plan has exposed an apparent lack of information. Domesticated water buffaloes are different from the wild African buffalo.
Water buffalo milk contains nearly double the butterfat content (seven to eight per cent) of conventional cow’s milk. The buffaloes are highly resilient, eat less while producing heavily, and have strong resistance to tropical diseases.
There are several pertinent concerns that need to be addressed. Though domesticated, water buffaloes still require access to rivers, swamps, or mud swallows to regulate their body temperature. Also, as local farmers may lack proper skills, safety training will be required to handle this large and unfamiliar animal.
There is also scepticism as to whether people long accustomed to cow’s milk will readily embrace the distinct buffalo taste.
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