Vol. 10, Special Issue 5 (2021)

Author(s):
Sruthy K Mohan and Reeja George P

Abstract:
The domestic buffalo remains an indispensable asset in the lives of millions of small holder farmers all over the world. Its functions are exemplified on traditional wetlands due to the synergistic relationship between the landscape of such ecosystems and the innate physical and physiological characteristics of the buffalo. Thus, these animals are crucial players on the livelihoods of farmers residing in these areas that are otherwise inhospitable to other domestic livestock species. The Kole lands of Trissur district of Kerala state form part of the larger Vembanad-Kol, a Ramsar site from 2002 onwards. Buffalo keeping for meat purposes is a sustainable livelihood option for farmers of this region. Keeping in mind the need to strengthen sustainable livelihoods that are compatible with the peculiarities of the Kole land ecosystem, an investigation into the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats- as perceived by meat buffalo keepers- of this system was undertaken so as to arrive at strategies to optimize the system. The physical characteristics of the buffalo and its synergistic blending of its physiological needs with the peculiarities of the landscape of the Kole lands were perceived to be the most important strength of this system. Significant weaknesses centred on the lack of policy and legislative measures to ensure quarantine facilities for animals at the border check-posts, the poorly developed slaughter management procedures, abbatoir and meat inspection facilities in the state. Important opportunities of this system included the current market and high seasonal and festal demand for buffalo meat as well as certain features of the paddy based production system that also functioned synergistically with the buffalo units. Potential threats perceived by the keepers included the lack of adequate policy and legislative reform measures that stood in the way of ensuring the ante-mortem examination of buffaloes ready for slaughter and a framework that encompassed the issue of abbatoir closure due to pollution.