Poeedig of Iteatioal “eia Ipoig Topial Aial Podutio fo Food “euit 3-5 November 2015, Universitas Halu Oleo, Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia Institutionalization of Swamp Buffalo Development in The Philippines L. C. Cruz National Academy of Science and Technology of the Philippines Email:
[email protected] ABSTRACT The Asian swamp buffalo, representing 20.51% of the olds buffalo population, has played a major role as source of draft power in the production of major agricultural crops, and secondarily, as source of meat and milk among East and Southeast Asian countries for centuries. In the past few decades, however, the intensification of crop farming, coupled with increased farm mechanization, diminished the swamp uffaloes role as source of draft in small farms. Despite this development, their value as source of livelihood and food remains high in small farm settings. To fully harness the potentials of this huge existing animal resource to contribute to the growing demand for ruminant-derived products and more importantly, to benefit the smallholders by way of increased income and access to nutritious food, the direction for its development can be shifted towards improving for meat and milk production. Genetic transformation is pursued thru cross breeding and sustained backcrossing with riverine buffalo breeds. For a wide-scale crossbreeding and genetic improvement program to be achieved and sustained, a national policy has to be legislated and the necessary program elements need to be institutionalized, including focused funding and human resources. Critical elements include the establishment of National Gene Pool of elite riverine buffaloes from where genetic materials for wide-scale crossbreeding will be derived.