Banni Buffalo

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In news- Recently, India’s first Banni buffalo calf was born through in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) technology in Gujarat.

IVF technology on Banni Buffalo –

• IVF process was carried out to enhance the number of genetically superior buffaloes to increase milk production.
• This first IVF ‘Banni’ calf is born out of six ‘Banni’ IVF pregnancies established at the doorsteps of a farmer, Vinay L Wala of Sushila Agro farms, located at Dhanej in Somnath district of Gujarat.
• IVF Banni follows the birth of India’s first batch of ‘Murrah’ breed of buffalo that underwent IVF at a farm near Pune in 2020.

About Banni buffalo-

• “Banni” breed of buffaloes is found primarily in Gujarat’s Kutch region.
• It is also known as “Kutchi” or “Kundi”.
• The breed originates from the Sind region in Pakistan.
• The word ‘Banni’ is specific to not only the buffaloes but also to the pasture grass species which are native to this region.
• It is known for its resilience and higher milk producing capacity in an arid environment.
• An average Banni buffalo yields around 12 to 18 litres of milk each day.
• Unlike common breeds of India such as ‘Murrah’ or ‘Jaffarabadi’, the ‘Banni’ breed is considered climate resilient.
• It has a different genetic makeup as compared to more common breeds, which allows for longer lactation periods, higher milk production potentials and also makes it disease resistant.
• This buffalo was recognised as the 11th buffalo breed in India by the Indian Breed Registration Committee, ICAR, New Delhi, in the year 2010.
• This breed of buffaloes is usually bred and preserved by a local community found in Kutch, called the ‘Maldharis’.
• Maldhari is a Gujarati word for pastoralists and literally translates to cattle breeders.

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