🐃 Buffalo Breeds - Murrah, Surti, Bhadawari and All Major Indian Buffalo Breeds
Complete guide to Indian buffalo breeds including Murrah (highest milk yield), Bhadawari (highest fat), Surti, Mehsana, Jaffarbadi, Nilli Ravi, Nagpuri, river vs swamp buffaloes, chromosome numbers, and key exam facts for IBPS AFO and NABARD.
India — The Buffalo Capital of the World
India holds the largest buffalo population in the world — 109.85 million buffaloes (20th Livestock Census, 2019), accounting for 57% of the global buffalo population of ~200 million.
| Metric | Figure |
|---|---|
| India's total buffaloes | 109.85 million (world's largest) |
| India's share of world buffalo pop. | ~57% |
| Contribution to India's total milk | ~57% |
| Carabeef (buffalo meat) produced | 1.85 million tonnes (18% of total meat) |
| Top buffalo state | Uttar Pradesh — 33 million (30%) of India's total |
| 4 states' combined share | UP + Rajasthan + Gujarat + MP = 61.5% of India's buffalo population |
| NBAGR-registered buffalo breeds | 22 breeds |
IMPORTANT
Buffalo milk contributes more than half of India's total milk production. India is not just the world's largest milk producer — much of that output is buffalo milk, which has higher fat, protein, and SNF than cow milk.
Types
Buffaloes are broadly classified into two types based on their habitat, physical characteristics, and utility. Understanding this distinction is fundamental for competitive exams.
🔐
Pro Content Locked
Upgrade to Pro to access this lesson and all other premium content.
Pro
Popular Save ₹100/mo
₹ 99 /mo
₹99 charged monthly · Cancel anytime
- All Agriculture & Banking Courses
- AI Lesson Questions (100/day)
- AI Doubt Solver (50/day)
- Glows & Grows Feedback (30/day)
- AI Section Quiz (20/day)
- 22-Language Translation (100/day)
- Recall Questions (20/day)
- AI Quiz (15/day)
- AI Quiz Paper Analysis (100/day)
- AI Step-by-Step Explanations (100/day)
- Spaced Repetition Recall (FSRS)
- AI Tutor
- Immersive Text Questions
- Audio Lessons — Hindi & English
- Mock Tests & Previous Year Papers
- Summary & Mind Maps
- XP, Levels, Leaderboard & Badges
- Generate New Classrooms
- Voice AI Teacher (AgriDots Live)
- AI Revision Assistant
- Knowledge Gap Analysis
- Interactive Revision (LangGraph)
🔒 Secure via Razorpay · Cancel anytime · No hidden fees
India — The Buffalo Capital of the World
India holds the largest buffalo population in the world — 109.85 million buffaloes (20th Livestock Census, 2019), accounting for 57% of the global buffalo population of ~200 million.
| Metric | Figure |
|---|---|
| India's total buffaloes | 109.85 million (world's largest) |
| India's share of world buffalo pop. | ~57% |
| Contribution to India's total milk | ~57% |
| Carabeef (buffalo meat) produced | 1.85 million tonnes (18% of total meat) |
| Top buffalo state | Uttar Pradesh — 33 million (30%) of India's total |
| 4 states' combined share | UP + Rajasthan + Gujarat + MP = 61.5% of India's buffalo population |
| NBAGR-registered buffalo breeds | 22 breeds |
IMPORTANT
Buffalo milk contributes more than half of India's total milk production. India is not just the world's largest milk producer — much of that output is buffalo milk, which has higher fat, protein, and SNF than cow milk.
Types
Buffaloes are broadly classified into two types based on their habitat, physical characteristics, and utility. Understanding this distinction is fundamental for competitive exams.
| Swamp Buffaloes | River Buffaloes |
|---|---|
| Bubalus carabanensis | Bubalus bubalis |
| AKA Swamp-type domestic buffalo | AKA Indian buffalo, Milk buffalo or water buffalo |
| It is exotic buffalo, body colour copper and dark brown, mainly used for draught animals. E.g., Carabao (Philippines), Sinhala etc. | It is indigenous buffalo. The body colour is mostly black except Bhadawari and Surti which is copper colored. Mainly used as milch animals. E.g. Murrah, Surti etc. |
| Swamp buffaloes are found in the south-west & south-east regions of Asia and are powerful for carrying loads. | Found in the plains and low hill areas of India. |
| Chromosome number, 2n = 48 | Chromosome number 2n = 50 |
IMPORTANT
The chromosome number difference (Swamp: 48 vs River: 50) is a key exam fact. River buffaloes, with 2n = 50, are the predominant type in India and are primarily valued for their milk production.
Buffalo Breed Groups
| Murrah Group | Uttar Pradesh Group | Gujarat Group | Central Indian Group | South Indian Group |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Murrah, Nili-ravi, Kundi, Godavari | Bhadawari, Tarai, Sambalpuri, Manda, Kalahandi, Jerangi | Surti, Jaffarbadi, Mehsana | Nagpuri, Pandhapur | Toda (TN), South Canara (Karnataka) |
Murrah
- **Native:** Rohtak, Jind, Hisar, Bhiwani districts of **Haryana**; also Nabha, Patiala districts of **Punjab** and around **Delhi**. This breed is the **pride of Indian dairy farming** and is widely used in crossbreeding programmes across the country.
- The breed characteristics are **massive body**, **neck and head comparatively long**, horns short and tightly curled, **Udder well developed**, **hip broad** and **fore** and **hind quarters drooping**. The tail is long reaching the fetlock. White twitch. The **tightly curled horns** are the most distinctive feature of the Murrah breed — the name "Murrah" itself means **"curled"** in Hindi.
- The colour is usually **jet black**, with white markings on tail, and face and extremities sometimes found.
- **Body weight:** Adult males average 567 kg (range 450–800 kg); adult females average 516 kg (range 350–700 kg).
- The bullocks are good draught animals though slow and powerful.
- The average milk production per lactation is 1,500 to 2,500 kgs (Highest) with 7–8% fat percentage. Research data (ICAR-CIRB) documents an average of 2,604.8 kg in elite herds. This makes Murrah the **highest milk-yielding buffalo breed** in India, which is why it is extensively used for **grading up** non-descript buffaloes.
- The age at first calving is 42–45 months and inter-calving period is 450–500 days.
- **Birth weight:** Male calves avg 31.7 kg, female calves avg 30 kg.
Surti
- **Native:** Vadodara, Bharuch, Kheda, and Surat districts of Gujarat. Also known as **Charotari** or **Deccani**.
- The barrel is **wedge shaped**. The head is long with prominent eyes.
- The horns are sickle shaped moderately long and flat. The back is straight and tail is fairly long. The **sickle-shaped horns** are the defining identification feature of the Surti breed.
- The colour is **black or brown**.
- Average milk yield is approximately 1,667 kg per lactation (range 1,200–1,800 kg), with an average fat content of 7.02% (NDDB data).
- The age at first calving is 40 to 50 months with an inter-calving period of 400–500 days.
- The peculiarity of breed is **very high fat** percentage in milk (8 to 12%). Surti is **feed-efficient** — it thrives on stovers and limited green fodder while producing milk rich in fat and SNF.
- *Note: The fat range 8–12% is the breed's documented potential range. The NDDB average of **7.02%** reflects typical herd-level performance under commercial conditions. Both figures appear in exams — the range (8–12%) is the "peculiarity" and the NDDB average (7.02%) is the standardised data point.*
- The bullocks are good for light work.
Mehsana
- **Native:** Mehsana, Sabarkantha, Banaskantha, Ahmedabad, and Gandhinagar districts of Gujarat.
- Cross of **Murrah × Surti**. The Mehsana breed combines the **high milk yield** of Murrah with the **high fat content** of Surti, making it an excellent **dual-quality** dairy buffalo.
- **Horn shape:** Less curved than Murrah, but curve more upward than Surti — an intermediate form.
- Average milk yield: 1,988 kg per lactation (range: 598–3,597 kg); average fat: 6.83% (NDDB Progeny Testing Programme, Dudhsagar Dairy, Mehsana).
- Animals are mostly **black**; a few are black-brown or brown.
Jaffarbadi
- **Native:** Saurashtra region of Gujarat — especially Junagarh, Bhavnagar, Jamnagar, Porbandar, Amreli, and Rajkot districts, in and around the **Gir forest**. Also called **Bhavnagri** or **Gir**.
- The horns are heavy, inclined to droop at each side of the neck and then turning up at point (drooping horns). The **big dome-shaped forehead** sometimes covers the eyelids — a distinguishing feature.
- Heaviest Indian breed of buffalo. Adult males weigh up to 700 kg (avg); females avg 620 kg. The Jaffarbadi holds the distinction of being the **largest and heaviest** among all Indian buffalo breeds.
- The udder is well developed with funnel shaped teats.
- Average milk yield: 2,150–2,340 kg per lactation (305–365 days); very efficient in converting roughages into milk.
- **Fun Fact:** Jaffarbadi buffaloes living in Gir forest are known for their **ability to defend against lions**, due to their massive size and bold temperament.
Nilli Ravi
- Nili Ravi is also known as **Panch Kalyani**. The name means "five auspicious marks" — referring to white markings on the **forehead, feet, and tail tip**.
- Found in the Sutlej valley in Ferozpur district of Punjab and in the Sahiwal district of Pakistan. The breed name comes from the **Nili** (blue waters of Sutlej) and **Ravi** rivers.
- **Head:** Small and elongated, **bulging at the top and depressed between the eyes** — a unique identification feature. Horns are **tightly coiled and small** (unlike Murrah's larger curls).
- Most desired character: possession of white markings with distinctive wall eyes (whitish/bluish iris).
- Milk yield: 1,500–1,850 kg per lactation; inter-calving period: 500–550 days.
- Age at first calving: 45–50 months.
Bhadawari
- **Native:** Agra and Etawah districts of **Uttar Pradesh** and Gwalior district of **Madhya Pradesh** — found in the **ravines of the Yamuna and Chambal rivers**.
- The body is copper coloured — unusual among buffalo breeds (which are typically black). Animals also have two distinctive white rings on the lower side of the neck and legs.
- Average milk yield: 800–1,000 kg per lactation (medium yield).
- Fat content: range 5.5–14%, average 8.09%, and can reach up to 13–14% (Highest fat among all buffalo breeds). This makes Bhadawari uniquely valuable for **ghee production**.
- **Conservation:** ICAR initiated a dedicated conservation and improvement programme at IGFRI (Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute), Jhansi under the Network Project on Buffalo Improvement since 2001.
TIP
Remember: Murrah = Highest milk yield among buffaloes. Bhadawari = Highest fat percentage among buffaloes (up to 14%). Surti = Also high fat (8–12%). Jaffarbadi = Heaviest breed.
MCQ-ready fat % comparison across buffalo breeds:
| Breed | Fat % | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Bhadawari | 5.5–14% (avg 8.09%) | Highest fat; ideal for ghee |
| Surti | 8–12% (NDDB avg 7.02%) | High fat; feed-efficient |
| Toda | ~8% | Hill breed; Nilgiris |
| Murrah | 7–8% | Highest milk yield |
| Nagpuri | 7.7% | Sword horns; Maharashtra |
| Mehsana | 6.83% | Murrah × Surti cross |
| Nilli Ravi | ~7% | Wall eyes; Punjab |
Toda
- Toda breed of buffaloes is named after the **ancient Toda tribe** of the **Nilgiri Hills** of South India (Tamil Nadu). These buffaloes hold **deep cultural and religious significance** for the Toda community, who have maintained this semi-wild breed for centuries.
- These buffaloes are quite distinct from other breeds — considered a **semi-wild** breed adapted to the cool, high-altitude environment of the Nilgiris.
- **Thick hair coat** all over the body — an adaptation to the **cold, high-altitude** climate of the Nilgiri hills (~2,000 m above sea level).
- They are **gregarious** in nature — prefer to live and move in herds.
- Milk yield: approximately 500 kg per lactation; fat content: ~8%.
Nagpuri
- AKA **Elitchpuri** or **Barari**.
- Breeding tract: Nagpur, Akola, and Amravati districts of Maharashtra.
- Black coloured with white patches on face, legs, and tail.
- The horns are long, flat and curved, bending backward on each side of the back (Sword shaped horns). The **sword-shaped horns** are the most striking feature of the Nagpuri breed and a key exam identification point.
- Milk yield: 700–1,200 kg per lactation over ~286 days; fat content: 7.7%.
Pandharpuri
- **Native:** Kolhapur and Solapur districts (South Maharashtra).
- Typical characteristic: horns are **very long, curved backward, upward, and usually twisted outwards** — sometimes extending **beyond the shoulder blade, up to the pin bone**. These **exceptionally long twisted horns** are the hallmark of the Pandharpuri breed.
- Highly productive with **regular calving**.
Godavari
- Breeding tract: east and west **Godavari districts** of Andhra Pradesh — in the **deltaic regions of the Godavari and Krishna rivers**.
- Black in colour with a mix of brown hair on the body.
- Average milk yield: 1,200–1,500 kg per lactation over 305 days.
- Evolved by **grading up** local non-descript buffaloes of coastal Andhra Pradesh with **Murrah bulls**. This is a textbook example of the **grading-up system of breeding**, where local animals are progressively improved over generations using superior sires.
Wallowing
Wallowing is the natural behaviour of buffaloes — rolling in mud or lying in water, especially to keep cool or avoid biting insects. Buffaloes have **far fewer sweat glands** compared to cattle, making wallowing essential for **thermoregulation** (body temperature regulation). Good buffalo management must **provide access to wallowing ponds or showers**, particularly during summer months.
References
20 sources • [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] [15] [16] [17] [18] [19] [20]
References
Summary Cheat Sheet
| Concept / Topic | Key Details |
|---|---|
| Swamp Buffalo | Bubalus carabanensis; 2n = 48; draught purpose; copper/dark brown colour; e.g. Carabao (Philippines) |
| River Buffalo | Bubalus bubalis; 2n = 50; milch purpose; mostly black colour |
| India's buffalo stats | 109.85 million (world's largest, 57% of global total); contributes ~57% of India's milk |
| Top buffalo state | Uttar Pradesh — 33 million (30%); UP+Rajasthan+Gujarat+MP = 61.5% |
| NBAGR registrations | 22 buffalo breeds registered |
| Murrah | Native: Rohtak, Jind, Hisar, Bhiwani (Haryana) + Nabha, Patiala (Punjab); tightly curled horns ("Murrah" = curled); highest milk yield (avg 1,500–2,500 kg, elite herds 2,605 kg); 7–8% fat |
| Murrah body/calving | Female avg 516 kg; age at first calving: 42–45 months; inter-calving: 450–500 days |
| Surti | Native: Vadodara, Bharuch, Kheda, Surat (Gujarat); AKA Charotari/Deccani; sickle-shaped horns; avg milk 1,667 kg; avg fat 7.02% (range 8–12%) |
| Mehsana | Native: Mehsana, Sabarkantha, Banaskantha (Gujarat); cross of Murrah × Surti; avg milk 1,988 kg; avg fat 6.83%; horns intermediate between Murrah and Surti |
| Jaffarbadi | Native: Gir forest, Junagarh, Bhavnagar (Gujarat); drooping + dome-forehead; heaviest Indian buffalo (♀ avg 620 kg); milk 2,150–2,340 kg; known to fight lions in Gir |
| Nilli Ravi | AKA Panch Kalyani (5 white markings); native: Punjab (Sutlej/Ravi valley); wall eyes; head bulging at top, depressed between eyes; milk 1,500–1,850 kg |
| Bhadawari | Native: Agra, Etawah (UP) & Gwalior (MP) — Yamuna/Chambal ravines; copper coloured + two white rings on neck/legs; highest fat (avg 8.09%, up to 14%); milk 800–1,000 kg; conserved at IGFRI Jhansi |
| Toda | Native: Nilgiri Hills (Tamil Nadu); semi-wild; thick hair coat; named after Toda tribe; milk ~500 kg; fat ~8% |
| Nagpuri | AKA Elitchpuri/Barari; native: Nagpur, Akola, Amravati (Maharashtra); sword-shaped horns; milk 700–1,200 kg; fat 7.7%; lactation ~286 days |
| Pandharpuri | Native: Kolhapur, Solapur (South Maharashtra); very long twisted horns beyond shoulder blade |
| Godavari | Native: East & West Godavari (Andhra Pradesh) — deltaic Godavari + Krishna rivers; milk 1,200–1,500 kg; evolved by grading up with Murrah |
| Wallowing | Natural buffalo behaviour for thermoregulation; fewer sweat glands than cattle |
| Highest milk yield breed | Murrah (1,500–2,500 kg/lactation) |
| Highest fat % breed | Bhadawari (up to 14%, avg 8.09%) |
| Heaviest breed | Jaffarbadi |
| Surti fat % | Range 8–12% (breed potential); NDDB herd avg 7.02% — both figures appear in exams |
| Mehsana genetics | Murrah × Surti cross — inherits Murrah's yield + Surti's fat; horns intermediate in curl |
| Nilli Ravi "Panch Kalyani" | "Five auspicious marks" = white on forehead, two front feet, two hind feet, and tail tip; also has distinctive wall eyes (whitish/bluish iris) |
| Horn ID key | Murrah: curled; Surti: sickle; Jaffarbadi: drooping; Nagpuri: sword; Pandharpuri: very long twisted; Nili-Ravi: small, tightly coiled |
Lesson Doubts
Ask questions, get expert answers