The importance of water buffalo breeding in Turkey [Türkiye'de manda yetiştiriciliǧi'nin önemi]

The aim of this study was to exhibit the water buffalo breeding in turkey between 1970-2008 years and draw attention to serious decreasing in water buffalo number,meat,milk and hide production. it was examined that,in 1970 worlds' total number of water buffalo increased from 107.262.744 head to 180.702.923 head (68.5%),while in turkey at the same period it was decreased from 1.178.000 head to 84.705 head (92.9%). while worlds' production of buffalo meat,milk and hide was increased 155.8%,355.6% and 124.4% respectively,however in turkey,the production was decreased 90% and over. in turkey at this point,water buffalo breeding almost vanished. in turkey,to turn past this situation,it's needed to constitute a new approach in water buffalo breeding with regional and national projects and to put into practice special encouragement and support programs. by means of this approach,the development of water buffalo breeding can be provided again and the demand for buffalo products revived.