Cattle and Buffalo Farming in Dry Zone of Sri Lanka: A Preliminary Survey

Abstract

The cattle and buffalo play a significant role in rural economy of Sri Lanka, providing milk, meat and, power to a varying degree depending on the location. The available information on cattle and buffalo production in Dry Zone of Batticaloa District is scanty. Therefore, it needs to collect and analyze the base line information in these areas. A survey was conducted in 3 randomly selected GN divisions in Batticaloa District using a structured questionnaire to determine the systems of cattle and buffalo management and pattern of their utilization. There were 907 cattle and 208 buffaloes belong to 196 holdings distributed in 3 GN divisions. Most of the neat cattle (>89% ) and buffaloes (>84% ) were indigenous type. Approximately 95% of farms were a male dominated activity. Most of the farmers (9 9 .5 %) had only primary education and mainly engaged in livestock, crop-cultivation, paddy farming and fishing. Majority of farmers (68.5% ) milked their animals. The average milk yield was 1.7 Lit per animal per day. Around 22.5% of farmers kept cattle and buffalo for meat purpose. Around 92.1% of farmers used natural service to insaminate their animal while 73.6% of farmers had access to veterinary service. Majority farmers (74.3% ) had own land for animal rearing. There is a high potential to develop cattle and buffalo production in these areas and farmer need to be motivated to improve the cattle and buffalo production.