The buffalo is considered an important milch
animal in India as more than 60 per cent of the total
milk produced is buffalo milk. The proportion of
buffalo milk is increasing over the years, indicating
preference for buffalo as a milch animal. The buffalo
is considered to be a better converter of fibrous feeds
into milk, and to be more resistant to diseases and
local climatic conditions. In addition, very little work
has been carried out on buffalo genetics that could
served as an additional tool in effective
implementation of breeding programmes. Genetic
variation at the DNA level has revolutionary potential
for animal improvement. Presently available DNA
technologies have already uncovered a large number
of genetic polymorphisms at the DNA level which
are being used as genetic markers.