The buffalo breeding in the Kızılırmak Delta, one of the natural heritages of Samsun, is being carried into the future through branding.

Buffalo breeding in the Kızılırmak Delta, one of Samsun’s natural heritages, is being transformed into a modern, sustainable, and value-added structure through the “Mandadan Markaya” project. With the project, the traditional production in the region will enter a branding process with scientific support.

The project is supervised by Prof. Dr. Ali Kemal Ayan from Ondokuz Mayıs University (OMU) Faculty of Agriculture, while the educational consultancy is carried out by Assoc. Prof. Bakiye Kılıç. The coordination of the project will be conducted by Tolga Eren, the President of the Ondokuzmayıs Local Action Group Association (OMYEGDER). The project, which has a budget of 60 thousand dollars and will last 12 months, aims both to protect the buffalo population and to strengthen the income sources of the local community.

Branding supported by academia

Although Samsun is the province with the highest buffalo population in Türkiye with nearly 26 thousand 600 head, the products are sold without a brand and with low added value, which appears as the major problem of the breeders. The “Mandadan Markaya” project aims to overcome this problem by bringing together academic knowledge and local experience. Within the scope of the project, a geographical indication process will be initiated for buffalo products specific to Samsun, thus ensuring quality and origin assurance. Additionally, market research, packaging design, and the use of online sales channels will be utilized to increase the commercial value of the products. Comprehensive training will be offered to breeders on technical issues such as hygienic milking, proper feeding, and modern reproduction management.

Project information meeting held

A project information meeting was organized in the Kızılırmak Delta with the participation of buffalo breeders, project partners, and academics. Prof. Dr. Ali Kemal Ayan, speaking about the project, stated: “The ‘Mandadan Markaya’ project began as a continuation of the ‘Buffalo Love’ project in 2005, which was supported by the United Nations Global Environment Facility. After that project, an increasing need emerged regarding the diversification of buffalo meat and dairy products, the improvement of market value, and the creation of a brand journey. Buffalo are the most important ecosystem engineers of wetlands, and therefore they have both economic and ecological importance. This project aims to carry buffalo products into the market with scientific support.”

United Nations Development Programme Türkiye National Coordinator for Small-Scale Projects, Gökmen Argun, remarked: “We have supported over 400 projects in Türkiye during the past 33 years, and Samsun is currently one of our focus regions with 11 supported projects. The ‘Mandadan Markaya’ project seems like a second stage of the earlier ‘Buffalo Love’ initiative. We are excited about the progress achieved so far, and we believe it offers a significant opportunity for promoting ecological diversity and healthy nutrition.”

Samsun Buffalo Breeders’ Association Representative İsmail Metin also highlighted the importance of increasing dairy yield, stating: “The buffalo population in Samsun rose from 7 thousand in 2008 to nearly 22 thousand in 2024 through projects supported by our Ministry and OMU, yet economic difficulties have caused a recent decline. We experience nearly 10% calf loss due to predators and feeding challenges. Italy has improved its buffalo breeding over 30 years and achieved 9 kilos average dairy yield, which shows that increasing milk yield must be our priority.”

Women and youth at the heart of rural development

One of the significant targets of the project is to increase rural employment. In this context, special training, mentoring, and support information activities will be carried out for 50 women and young breeders. Through the contributions of the Engiz Women’s Cooperative, the project aims to strengthen breeder organization and cooperative structures.

Target: 150 thousand dollars income increase

At the end of the “Mandadan Markaya” project, it is expected to achieve nearly 150 thousand dollars income increase for local breeders. Geographical indication, local festivals, tasting events, and social media campaigns will be used to promote buffalo products, emphasizing both ecological value and health benefits. Authorities stated that the project will be a model for sustainable agriculture and livestock breeding in the Kızılırmak Delta. The project introduction meeting ended with the presentation of buffalo products.