Water buffaloes productive system in the sugar-cane zone of Pernambuco, Brazil. Diagnostic and characterization

Abstract

This paper reports the results of the characterization of the buffalo rearing system in the “Zona da Mata” of the Pernambuco State, Brazil. For data gathering the Northeastern buffalo’s raisers society (SNC), professional workers, other farmers and also people from the Pernambuco Sugar-Cane Growers Association (AFCP) were contacted by means of interviews and visits to the production system. The buffalo production system came to the area in a planed way by farmers at the first half of the 70’s and expanded to today. The herd is composed of Murrrah, Jafarabadi and Mediterranean species although the mestizos are prevailing. However, it is still quite deficient of technologies despite an apparent integration of the buffalo’s system with the sugar cane industry. Measures to prevent main diseases like vaccinations are not adequately implemented. Extensive system directed to produce meat and milk as well as to handmade dairy products is predominant in the region. On the other hand the buffalo system has taken an important hole in the economic re-ordination of the “Zona da Mata” sugar cane monoculture diversification using areas not adequate for the sugar crop and contributing the region’s livestock sustainable development.