It is known that in Dagestan, in some areas, buffalo breeding was practiced in private farms. Mostly these animals were used as draft forces, the skin was used to make shoes, they received meat and milk. On an industrial scale, buffalo breeding was not carried out in the region.
Currently, Sector LLC of the Babayurtovsky district is organizing the organization of buffalo breeding on an industrial basis. In order to get acquainted with the progress of the project implementation, the First Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food of the Republic of Dagestan Sharip Sharipov, together with the chief researcher of the Federal Agrarian Scientific Center of the Republic of Dagestan, Professor Magomed Baratov, visited the farm.
According to the head of the farm, Ahmed Hasanaliev, they have been breeding buffaloes since the early 2000s. For more than 20 years, practitioners have studied the intricacies of buffalo breeding, including specialized literature, and the experience of other regions. We came to the understanding that for certain territories, in particular marshy areas dominated by reed vegetation, it is much more profitable to breed buffaloes. In this regard, a project for 250 heads has been developed, and the construction of the farm is currently being completed. Today, the farm already has 245 heads of Caucasian buffaloes. There are also plans to purchase equipment for milk processing, the corresponding premises have already been built. We intend to produce dairy products, cheeses are especially valued – real mozzarella can only be obtained from buffalo milk, as well as semi-finished meat products. In addition, this year the farm won a grant from the Russian Ministry of Agriculture for the development of agritourism. We also keep Akhal-Teke horses, sheep, dairy cows.
Commenting on what he saw, the First Deputy Minister noted that the location of the buffaloes was chosen very well – not far from the Terek River in the area of the Alikazgan bridge. The sparse vegetation and the heat characteristic of this area cause serious problems for keeping cattle. But buffaloes need much less food, one reed is practically enough, and these territories are rich in reed vegetation. During the hot hours, buffaloes hide in the water, which is enough in these places.
He further noted some other features that favor the breeding of these animals. So, buffalo milk is rich in fats, proteins, it also contains many vitamins, it is used to prevent diseases of the cardiovascular system and respiratory tract. Buffaloes have strong immunity, they practically do not suffer from leukemia, brucellosis and many other diseases, their maintenance is half the price compared to cattle. Importantly, buffaloes skillfully protect themselves from wolves and other predators common in these places.
The project of LLC “Sector” for the industrial breeding of buffaloes has a good prospect, they will produce demanded products, this is the second such project in the country and the first in the republic. This economy is developing in a complex way, it is an example of effective activity in improving the fodder base, breeding Akhal-Teke horses, effective implementation of land reclamation work and in a number of other areas of the agricultural industry. The Ministry of Agriculture and Food of the Republic of Dagestan is always determined to support such enterprising farmers who bring innovative technologies to Dagestan agricultural practice,” said Sharip Sharipov.
Full version on the website In Dagestan, the construction of a large buffalo farm is being completed
