𝐃𝐞𝐜𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐁𝐮𝐟𝐟𝐚𝐥𝐨 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐒𝐚𝐦𝐭𝐬𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐟𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐬 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐑𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐋𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐝𝐬

…𝒈𝒓𝒂𝒛𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒍𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒓𝒆𝒅𝒖𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒕𝒉 𝒎𝒊𝒈𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒅𝒆𝒄𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒆 𝒊𝒏 𝒃𝒖𝒇𝒇𝒂𝒍𝒐 𝒇𝒂𝒓𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒊𝒏 𝑵𝒂𝒎𝒈𝒚𝒆𝒍𝒄𝒉𝒐𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒈, 𝑻𝒂𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒄𝒉𝒐𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑼𝒈𝒚𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒔𝒆 𝒈𝒆𝒘𝒐𝒈𝒔

By Sonam Choden

Livestock farming has traditionally been a vital part of rural livelihoods, playing an important role in ensuring food security and supporting the socio-economic stability of farming communities. In Samtse, livestock has long served as a primary source of income, nutrition, and agricultural support. Among various types of livestock, buffaloes have held particular importance due to their multiple uses in milk production, draft power, and manure supply. However, recent developments indicate a notable decline in buffalo rearing across several gewogs in Samtse, reflecting significant changes in agricultural practices.

This decline appears to stem from a combination of interrelated factors that have gradually undermined what was once a dominant agrarian tradition. One major factor is the change in land use, especially due to urban expansion, which has led to a reduction in grazing areas that are essential for sustaining buffaloes. Alongside this, labor shortages in rural areas, mainly caused by youth migrating to urban centers seeking better economic opportunities, have reduced the capacity of households to maintain labor-intensive livestock activities. Furthermore, many farmers have shifted towards cultivating high-value cash crops such as cardamom and areca nut. This shift toward agricultural commercialization offers economic benefits but has also contributed to the decline of traditional livestock systems.

In Namgyelcholing Gewog, these trends are particularly evident. According to Ratna Bdr Ghalley, the Namgyelcholing Gup, buffalo rearing has sharply declined in recent years. Currently, only five households in the gewog rear buffaloes, with a total of 21 animals. This marks a significant drop compared to earlier times when buffalo rearing was more widespread throughout the community. Ratna Bdr Ghalley attributes the decline mainly to urban encroachment, which has considerably reduced available grazing land. Many households have adapted by focusing on other forms of agriculture and livelihood strategies that better fit the changing socio-economic conditions. The conversion of agricultural land into residential and commercial plots has further decreased the land needed for grazing.

Farmers in the region confirm this pattern. Krishan Sharma, a local farmer, noted that he currently owns only two buffaloes, a notable decrease from the past. He explained that the broader shift in agricultural practices in his community has played a major role in this decline. “Many villagers have increasingly turned to cultivating cardamom and areca nuts as alternative livelihoods which require less labor and land and provide higher financial returns,” he said. These crops have become more viable under current conditions, especially considering the challenges of livestock management.

Sharma also pointed out that buffalo rearing demands significant land resources, particularly grazing areas. “The rapid expansion of urban settlements has made it very difficult to find enough grazing land for buffaloes,” he added. This reduction in grazing space, driven by land-use change and infrastructure development, has severely limited farmers’ ability to keep buffaloes. This trend reflects a practical response from farming communities who must balance economic needs with environmental constraints.

Another key factor Sharma identified is the ongoing shortage of agricultural labor. He observed that many young people have moved to cities for better jobs and education. “Many young people have migrated to cities in search of better employment opportunities, leaving behind mainly older people who struggle with the physical demands of livestock care,” Sharma said. Buffalo rearing requires labor-intensive tasks such as feeding, cleaning, and medical care, which elderly farmers find difficult, further discouraging engagement in this activity.

Because of these combined pressures, Sharma sometimes questions whether to continue with buffalo rearing. He shared that at times he considers stopping altogether because of the high maintenance involved. Instead, he is exploring other livestock options like Jersey cattle, which are generally seen as easier to maintain and offer higher milk yields.

A similar decline has been seen in Tashichoeling, located in Tashicholing Gewog, where buffalo rearing has also sharply dropped over the years. Bishwanath Uraon, the Tshokpa of Tashichoeling, said only four households now rear buffaloes in the village, a steep decrease from previous decades. Pushpalal Chhetri, one of the remaining farmers, pointed out that the shortage of grazing land is a major challenge. Much of the land has been converted to crop cultivation, leaving little room for pasture. This has made it harder to meet buffaloes’ dietary needs, reducing the feasibility and attractiveness of buffalo farming for locals.

In Ugyentse Gewog, the situation is even more stark. Nisha Pradhan, the Livestock Supervisor in the area, reported that only a single household continues buffalo rearing, maintaining just two buffaloes. This highlights how close to extinction buffalo farming has become in this region.

The decline of buffalo rearing across gewogs like Namgyelcholing, Tashicholing, and Ugyentse reflects deep changes in agricultural and socio-economic life in rural areas. Urban expansion, land-use changes, demographic shifts, and the search for more profitable livelihoods have all contributed to the widespread abandonment of traditional livestock farming. The testimonies of farmers and community leaders reveal the complex challenges involved.

The labor and land demands of buffalo rearing, combined with limited resources and labor shortages, have led many rural households to reconsider or end this practice. Some have shifted to other livestock, while others have left livestock farming entirely. This decline raises concerns not only for rural incomes and livelihoods but also for livestock biodiversity and food security in the long term.