Pawar for export of Murrah buffalo of Haryana

Karnal, Apr 21 (UNI) Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar today announced that a centre would be set up in Haryana to promote the Murrah breed of buffaloes in the state so that these could be exported to foreign countries.

A number of countries had evinced keen interest in Murrah Buffalo which was a very good breed, Mr Pawar said while addressing the sixth convocation of the National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI) here today.

The Minister said that several countries, including Italy, China and Bulgaria had given special thrust on rearing of buffaloes.

He expressed the hope that Haryana could become a center of attraction in the world by promoting Murrah Bufaloes in a big way. Efforts would be made by the Union government to promote Haryana as the main centre for Murrah Buffaloes.

Mr Pawar said although India had achieved the distinction of being the largest milk producer in the world, the average productivity of animals was quite low at 987 kg per location as against the world average of 2038 kg per location.

He said India had shortage of feed and fodder to support a large population of 185 million cattle and 98 million buffaloes.

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