Government hikes pays for Anatolian buffalo keepers

ANKARA - Anatolia News Agency

AA file photo

The Turkish Agriculture Ministry plans to increase the number of Anatolian buffalos it pays for to 15,000, from a current level of 11,258. 

The Ministry is also increasing its incentive pay to support Anatolian buffalo keepers by 30 percent (from 500 liras to 650 liras) for each buffalo this year, according to the Anatolia news agency. 

“Some 1,275 buffalo keepers were involved in the Anatolian Buffalo Improvement Project, which was initiated in 8 pilot provinces last year. A total of 5.6 million liras were paid to the animal keepers for 11,258 Anatolian buffalos. Keepers received 500 liras per animal,” an official statement by the ministry said. 

The total number of buffalos currently in Turkey is estimated to be around 35,000. This year the Ministry plans to increase the total monetary support for Anatolian buffalo keepers to 9.8 million liras. The Anatolian buffalo improvement project is also aiming to increase the Anatolian buffalo population, which has decreased in the last few years.