Economic Evaluation of Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) Production in Bangladesh

In FY 2014-15, the buffalo population was 1.46 million indicating 3 per cent of the total ruminants (small & large) produced in the country, but its’ socioeconomic importance is remarkable. So, the present study was attempted to identify the socioeconomic profile of the buffalo keeping farmers as well as to estimate the profitability from buffalo farming. To achieve the objectives 10 (ten) districts namely: Mymensingh, Jamalpur, Moulvibazar, Bhola, Patuakhali, Noakhali, Lakshmipur, Chattogram, Tangail and Sirajganj were selected purposively on the basis of buffalo population density and project implementation areas and 01 (one) Upazila was taken from each district. A total of 500 (50 from each district) buffalo farmers were interviewed following simple random sampling technique. Data were collected during the month of January 2016 to April 2016 and analyzed using STATA software tools. In this study, ‘Logit model’ was adopted using binary dependent variable. Study revealed that the highest per cent of farmers were in age group 31-45 years and engaged in agriculture sector as primary occupation. The highest number of farmers had primary level education and had above 15 years of experience of rearing buffalo. Average farm size was calculated 1.05 hectare; average family size was 6.17 persons per family. Per lactation total cost was estimated BDT 24,507, lactation period was 255 days and average milk production per day was 2 liters. The highest return from milk production was BDT 27,189 and the BCR was 1.31(undiscounted). It was found that about 64 per cent farmers had access to artificial insemination (AI) and seventy per cent farmers vaccinated their buffaloes where 66 per cent FMD, 24 per cent BQ and 20 per cent HS. Ninety-eight per cent farmers feed colostrum to the new born buffalo calves and almost 90 per cent farmers had done D-warming practices. Buffalo population was found highest in Ramgoti and lowest in Haluaghat and on average per farm buffalo number was 18.91. The highest (33%) family income was derived from buffalo rearing followed by service, business, farming and livestock (except buffalo). Measurement of benefit cost ratio (BCR) from buffalo rearing was estimated greater than unity indicated that buffalo rearing is a profitable enterprise. The value of coefficient of Binary Logistic Regression Model showed that most of the prediction was justified and statistically significant and buffalo development program was helpful and necessity for the buffalo farmers.