Buffalo farming is gaining popularity in northern Argentina.

As part of the Rural Exposition, technical experts, manufacturers, researchers, representatives of the industrial sector and government officials held a roundtable discussion to discuss strategies.

Thanks to sustained growth in recent years, buffalo farming is striving to strengthen its position as a strategic value chain. In this context, INTA experts shared management strategies aimed at addressing growth challenges.

According to Irina Martínez, a specialist at INTA El Sombrerito in Corrientes, "the northeastern region of the country has seen steady growth in buffalo production units and herds." She emphasized that "the challenge is to consolidate it as a value chain with its own identity and strategies distinct from traditional cattle ranching."

Corrientes has been accompanying this growth since 2019

To this end, “since 2019, INTA Corrientes has been supporting the development of the buffalo sector, promoting the generation of localized knowledge and the development of strategies adapted to the specificities of this livestock sector in Northeast Asia.”

These activities are carried out in collaboration with the Faculty of Veterinary Sciences of the National University of the Northeast (UNNE), the Ministry of Production of Corrientes, producer organizations, local authorities and representatives of the MEAT distribution chain related to buffalo meat production.

Preliminary results were presented

Regarding the participation of specialists in the technical panel during the Rural Exhibition, the researcher explained that “preliminary results of the current project, obtained during the research conducted, as well as during events held in experimental fields and in the Bubalin network, were presented.”

Topics covered include natural resource and wetland management, reproductive HEALTH , production management, and working with producers with an emphasis on territorial technical support.

In addition, a discussion was held with manufacturers, who shared their experiences, challenges and specific requirements, and talked about the importance they attach to technical consultations and teamwork.

The final session will be led by industry representatives, who will discuss the market opportunities for buffalo meat, quality differences, and logistical and health concerns.

"Today at the Rural Exhibition, we are showcasing the industry's current status and looking to the future," the INTA specialist stated. Martinez noted that "we will continue to work to deepen collaboration between science, industry, and public policy to ensure that buffalo farming becomes a viable, profitable, and sustainable option for our regions."