Chennai, Tamil Nadu: Tamil Nadu Cooperative Milk Producers’ Federation (Aavin) has announced a strategic push to triple its daily buffalo milk procurement, scaling up from the present 10,000 litres to 30,000 litres per day by the end of 2026. The move comes as early outcomes from a state-wide buffalo revival initiative show encouraging progress.
The Buffalo Calf Rearing Scheme (BCRS), launched in March 2025, is being implemented in partnership with the Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences. The programme aims to rebuild the state’s declining buffalo population while strengthening buffalo milk production and farmer profitability.
According to official data, 250 buffaloes were impregnated through artificial insemination in the first year of the scheme. Of these, 52 have already calved, while 198 remain pregnant, marking a successful first phase focused on achieving healthy calving outcomes.
Under BCRS, 2,000 female buffalo calves, approximately six months old, have been adopted from cooperative-affiliated dairy farmers. Beneficiaries across 12 districts — including Salem, Erode, Tiruppur, and Karur — receive free protein-rich cattle feed, monthly mineral mixtures, deworming, weight monitoring, and doorstep veterinary services for 26 months, until the calves reach 32 months of age.
Scientific Breeding Interventions Introduced
Aavin officials stated that the scheme has incorporated advanced reproductive technologies to tackle inherent breeding challenges. Unlike cows, buffaloes show weak external signs of oestrus, making heat detection difficult. To counter this, ovulation synchronisation, fixed-time artificial insemination (FTAI), and sex-sorted semen have been introduced to ensure a higher probability of female calf births, essential for population rebuilding.
“Artificial insemination was performed once buffaloes attained a body weight of 250 kg, with breeding initiated at 250 kg body weight using sex-sorted semen for improved outcomes,” an official confirmed.
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Feed Support Schedule for Growth and Productivity
Farmers receive feed inputs based on a structured age-wise plan:
- 1 kg/day from 6–10 months
- 1.5 kg/day from 11–25 months
- 1.75 kg/day from 26–32 months
This is complemented with calf ration and mineral mix supplied every month, alongside regular deworming and growth assessment.
Procurement Price Comparison
Currently, Aavin pays:
- Rs 38/litre for cow milk
- Rs 47/litre for buffalo milk, including Rs 3/litre incentive
Private dairies, however, offer a slightly higher range:
- Rs 35–42/litre for cow milk
- Rs 48–52/litre for buffalo milk
Despite the competitive pricing for buffalo milk, farmers remain hesitant to rear buffaloes due to delayed sexual maturity, longer calving intervals, lower yields, and higher maintenance costs. Limited awareness of buffalo management and breeding timelines has also been a barrier.
To bridge this gap, Aavin has rolled out training modules for buffalo calf rearing, coupled with doorstep veterinary support to assist farmers in making timely breeding decisions.
Buffalo Population Decline in Tamil Nadu
The state’s buffalo population has dropped significantly:
- 11.8 lakh (2007) → 18th Livestock Census
- 5.19 lakh (2019) → 20th Livestock Census
Results from the 21st Livestock Census are yet to be published. Meanwhile, Punjab and Gujarat have recorded growth in buffalo numbers, boosting their milk production considerably.
Funding and Beneficiary Support
Based on recommendations from the State Planning Commission, the scheme is fully financed under Tamil Nadu Innovation Initiatives, with a sanctioned budget of Rs 8.2 crore. Each beneficiary receives free inputs worth Rs 41,000, supported by a total allocation of Rs 8.2 crore, ensuring sustained nutritional and veterinary backing.
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