Current situation of manda breeding in Diyarbakir, determination of problems and solution proposals

This study was carried out in order to reveal the general structure of buffalo breeding farms in Diyarbakır. The study was carried out in city of Diyarbakır, Silvan, Yenişehir and Sur where farming is widespread. The main material of the study was the data obtained from face-to-face surveys conducted with 147 breeders outside the Anatolian Mandate in the Hand of the People project. According to the research, the production system in the farms is fully settled. The average number of buffaloes per farm is 11.03. Buffalo breeding is the family occupation of all farm. Breeders stated that they do buffalo breeding in order to provide family livelihoods, to ensure the quality of buffalo milk and to benefit from the existing financial supports. Most of the farms doing mixed livestock farming of cattle and buffaloes togather. It was determined that the shelter floor was mostly reinforced concrete, brick and briquette were used as wall material. Farmers have generally preferred concrete feeders and plastic drinkers. They also preferred tile as roofing material in the farms. The average lactation period of the dairy buffaloes was 7.1 months. The average water buffalo milk per animal is 3.63 liters. The milk obtained is considered as yogurt, cheese and fat in the farms. Farmers stated that insufficient supports and high feed prices would reduce the number of buffaloes. It is seen that traditional breeding needs some improvements on the basis of the enterprise. Modern breeding training should be given to the farmers in order to benefit from the breeding. The desired efficiency in buffalo breeding can be achieved by cooperatives, unions and similar organizations. The number of buffaloes per enterprise should be increased through the state and the necessary breeding activities should be facilitated such as record keeping, meat, milk and offspring yield. Key Words: Anatolian Water Buffalo, Bovine, Breeding, Diyarbakır, Türkiye