Buffalo Breeding in Rising in Las Tunas
By Hernán Bosch 

Las Tunas, Feb 3, (ACN).- The herd of buffalo in the province of Las Tunas exceeded 2,000 head for the first time, resulting from the efforts of nearly three decades Cuba made to promote the breeding of this species.  

The figure exceeds 36 per cent the one recorded in the territory a year ago by the Ministry of Agriculture. It is the result of the natural reproduction of the animals.

In Las Tunas, encouraging this type of livestock has particularly significance. Climatic factors such as prolonged droughts in recent years and the passage of two hurricanes in 2008 have significantly affected agriculture production. 

The spread of buffalo areas in Cuba began with the importation of about three thousand animals in the 1980s. And, thereafter, have spread throughout the Island, reaching today more than ten times the original amount.  

These animals are from the Asian continent, where more than 90 percent of those existing in the world are concentrated. In recent times they have spread to many countries in Europe, South America, Australia and elsewhere. 

In the case of Latin America, Brazil, Venezuela and Argentina have the largest herds of these productive ruminants. 

The tendency to raise buffalo breeding is mainly due to the high yields of meat that their size guarantees and their adaptability to the climatic conditions of the country. 

Studies conducted by specialists of several countries have shown that buffalo milk has a higher solid content, fat and protein than that obtained from cows.