Bramhagiri, May 7: A Chilika farmers’ meeting was organized by the Sampark organisation in Brahmagiri, Puri, focused on the conservation and promotion of the Chilika buffalo, an indigenous breed thriving in both salty and fresh waters of Chilika Lake.
Various stakeholders, including the Director of Animal Husbandry and the Managing Director of OMFED, Mr. Vijay Amruta Kulange.
Kulange, participated in the meeting and held discussions with the farmers about the various issues they face. He suggested the formation of a cooperative society to ensure fair market prices for Chilika Maanshi milk. The Chief Executive Officer of OLRDS, Mr. Hadibandhu Bhoi, was also present and interacted with the farmers.
They assured the farmers of immediate assistance under the NREGA scheme. With OMFED’s support, Bulck Milling Chilling units will soon be established at Satapada, Manikapatna, Kurupal, Kruushnaprasadgarh, Maluda, and Gambhari in the Brahmagiri-Kruushnaprasad area.
He also promised that regular milk production will be documented, and high-yielding buffaloes will receive special incentives. Additionally, he proposed the rotation of male buffaloes (Pandas) among herds for breed conservation.
Further assistance was pledged for digging ponds in various panchayats under different government schemes.
In the initial phase, milk collection centers will be set up in Satapada, Manikapatna, Kurupal, Kruushnaprasadgarh, Maluda, and Gambhari.
The collected Chilika buffalo milk will be sell at affordable prices through OMFED. Products like Gheee and Khua will also be made from this milk. He informed that various schemes are being prepared with the support of both state and central governments for the conservation and promotion of the Chilika buffalo.
Prominent buffalo farmers including Upendra Jena, Pintu Behera, Tulu Majhi, Prasanna Kumar Tarai, Kaluram Khuntia, Vichitra Jena, and Bapi Pradhan attended the program.
GM Pumul Tapas Das, District Chief Veterinary Officer Sarat Chandra Behera, Dr. Rajesh Panigrahi, Dr. Sudasat Patnaik, Dr. Biswajit Behera, and Dr. Guru Prasanna Sahu were also prominently present.
The Odisha Livestock Research and Development Society (OLRDS) had recently sent a letter to SAMPARK addressing various demands raised by concerned institutions regarding the Chilika buffalo.
The letter mentioned that arrangements are being made to provide shelters for the Chilika buffaloes. places such as Cipla, Budhiber, Krushnaprasad, Biripadar, Anlakuda, Badabenakudi, Siara, Gambhari, Bankijal and Baghamunda has been selected for the purpose of construction of multipurpose shelters.
Additionally, under the Goo Sampada Bima Yojana and the National Animal Husbandry Mission, farmers will be able to insure their buffaloes by contributing only 15% of the insurance premium. The remaining 85% will be borne by the government. In case of the death of a Chilika buffalo, farmers will be eligible for compensation from the insurance provider.
The association has also demanded that Chilika buffalo farming be officially included in the agricultural industry category. They believe this recognition will encourage more young people to engage in Chilika buffalo farming, helping to preserve and promote this unique breed.
The Chilika buffalo is a special indegenious breed , well-adapted to both saline and freshwater environments around Chilika Lake. Its milk is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, and proteins, contributing to increased immunity and overall health benefits.
