In general, the number of buffaloesin South East Asian
countries is decreased remarkably due to different factors such as increasing
demand for buffalo meat due to human population growth, mechanization for land
preparation, and inappropriate slaughtering.
This paper describes the past, present and future trends of
buffalo in the Lao PDR. The lowland farming systems are in transition and there
is not much place for traditional buffalo raising methods like free range
systems. The farmers are not ready for such relatively fast changes in
agriculture. Irrigation and mechanization lead to the change of the role of
buffalo as a source of draught power to become the animals for meat. The buffalo herd
composition is also changed according to this transition.
There is a tendency that the number of the buffalo will
increase in the upland areas. But this increase has limitations and should not
over-exploit the natural resources. At the same time, the buffalo production in
the lowlands should be encouraged and promoted to retain the traditional
nutrient flow.