Introduction
Dear readers, welcome back! In our earlier articles, we explored the fascinating world of Indian cow breeds. Today, we turn our attention to the other half of India’s cattle population – the buffaloes. These remarkable animals are not only strong and adaptable but also play a vital role in India’s rural economy.
The livestock sector contributes 5.73% to India’s GDP and nearly 30% to agricultural GDP, providing livelihood support to millions of rural families. Yet, when most people think of livestock, cows come to mind first, while buffaloes are often overlooked.
But here’s a fact: India is home to 57% of the world’s buffalo population. Out of the total 210 million cattle in the country, around 93 million are buffaloes. With such importance, it’s only fair we give these animals the spotlight. In this article, we’ll dive into the top 10 buffalo breeds in India that are valued for their milk, adaptability, and strength.
Buffalo Breeds in India: An Overview
Buffaloes, also known as the Asian water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis), are the backbone of India’s dairy industry. Interestingly, buffaloes produce more than 55% of India’s total milk, which is higher than the contribution of cows.
Taxonomy of Buffalo
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Artiodactyla
Family: Bovidae
Subfamily: Bovinae
Genus: Bubalus
Species: Bubalus bubalis
The wild water buffalo (Bubalus arnee) is considered the ancestor of the domestic buffalo we see today.
Regional Classification of Indian Buffalo Breeds
Buffalo breeds are often classified based on their native regions:
| Group | Examples |
|---|---|
| Murrah | Murrah, Nili-Ravi, Kundi |
| Gujarat | Surti, Jaffarabadi, Mehsana |
| Uttar Pradesh | Bhadawari, Tarai |
| Central India | Nagpuri, Pandharpuri, Manda |
| South India | Toda, South Kanara |
Top 10 Buffalo Breeds in India
1. Murrah Buffalo (Haryana, Punjab)
Color: Jet black with occasional white markings
Weight: Bulls – 750 kg, Cows – 650 kg
Milk Yield: 1500–2000 kg/lactation
Price: ₹50,000–₹1,00,000
The Murrah is the most popular and high-yielding buffalo breed in India. Known for its adaptability and rich milk, it is widely reared across India and abroad.
2. Surti Buffalo (Gujarat)
Color: Varies from black, brown to silver grey
Weight: Bulls – 500 kg, Cows – 400 kg
Milk Yield: 900–1300 kg/lactation (fat 8–12%)
Price: ₹60,000–₹1,50,000
A medium-sized breed famous for its high milk fat content, Surti is a farmer’s favorite in Gujarat.
3. Mehsana Buffalo (Gujarat, Maharashtra)
Color: Black or black-brown
Weight: Bulls – 750 kg, Cows – 650 kg
Milk Yield: 1200–1500 kg/lactation
Price: ₹50,000–₹1,30,000
Resulting from Murrah × Surti crossbreeding, Mehsana buffaloes are hardy, long-bodied, and valued for consistent milk yield.
4. Bhadawari Buffalo (U.P. & M.P.)
Color: Coppery coat with light brown eyelids
Weight: Bulls – 475 kg, Cows – 425 kg
Milk Yield: 800–1000 kg/lactation (high butterfat)
Price: ₹60,000–₹1,50,000
Known as the “ghee buffalo” for its rich butterfat content, this breed thrives on coarse feed and withstands heat well.
5. Jaffarabadi Buffalo (Gujarat)
Color: Jet black
Weight: 450–600 kg
Milk Yield: ~1100 kg/lactation
Price: ₹55,000–₹1,40,000
This is the heaviest Indian buffalo breed. With its strong build and curved horns, it is widely used for ploughing and carting.
6. Nagpuri Buffalo (Maharashtra)
Color: Black with white patches
Weight: Bulls – 525 kg, Cows – 425 kg
Milk Yield: 700–1200 kg/lactation
Price: ₹40,000–₹1,00,000
Adapted to semi-arid regions, the sword-shaped horns of Nagpuri buffaloes make them stand out.
7. Godavari Buffalo (Andhra Pradesh)
Color: Black with brown hair mix
Weight: 400–600 kg
Milk Yield: 1200–1500 kg/lactation
Price: ₹50,000–₹1,00,000
Native to the Godavari and Krishna delta, this breed is compact and muscular with impressive milk yields.
8. Toda Buffalo (Tamil Nadu)
Color: Fawn with ash-grey mix
Weight: 380 kg
Milk Yield: ~500 kg/lactation (fat 8.22%)
Price: ₹35,000–₹80,000
A rare swamp buffalo from the Nilgiris, Toda is recognized by its long crescent-shaped horns and dense coat.
9. Pandharpuri Buffalo (Maharashtra)
Color: Deep black
Weight: Bulls – 450 kg, Cows – 420 kg
Milk Yield: 1000–1500 kg/lactation
Price: ₹65,000–₹1,65,000
Famous for their extra-long horns, Pandharpuri buffaloes are highly productive and calve regularly.
10. Nili Ravi Buffalo (Punjab & Pakistan)
Color: Black with white markings (on 5 body parts)
Weight: Bulls – 700 kg, Cows – 600 kg
Milk Yield: 1500–2000 kg/lactation
Price: ₹50,000–₹2,00,000
Often called the “Black Gold”, Nili Ravi buffalo rivals Murrah in milk yield and is widely reared across northern India.
Quick Comparison Table
| Breed | Origin | Avg. Weight | Milk Yield (kg/lactation) | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Murrah | Haryana, Punjab | 750 kg | 1500–2000 | ₹50K–₹1L |
| Surti | Gujarat | 500 kg | 900–1300 | ₹60K–₹1.5L |
| Mehsana | Gujarat, Maharashtra | 750 kg | 1200–1500 | ₹50K–₹1.3L |
| Bhadawari | U.P., M.P. | 475 kg | 800–1000 | ₹60K–₹1.5L |
| Jaffarabadi | Gujarat | 600 kg | 1100 | ₹55K–₹1.4L |
| Nagpuri | Maharashtra | 525 kg | 700–1200 | ₹40K–₹1L |
| Godavari | Andhra Pradesh | 600 kg | 1200–1500 | ₹50K–₹1L |
| Toda | Tamil Nadu | 380 kg | 500 | ₹35K–₹80K |
| Pandharpuri | Maharashtra | 450 kg | 1000–1500 | ₹65K–₹1.65L |
| Nili Ravi | Punjab | 700 kg | 1500–2000 | ₹50K–₹2L |
Conclusion
From the high-yielding Murrah and Nili Ravi to the rare Toda of the Nilgiris, buffalo breeds in India are diverse, resilient, and economically invaluable. They not only support rural households but also dominate India’s milk production sector.
If you are considering dairy farming, buffalo rearing is a highly profitable and sustainable venture worth exploring.