For farmers managing water buffalo, what resource is considered as crucial for health as providing fodder and drinking water?

Ensuring constant access to a clean, deep mud wallow or pond.

The necessity of wallowing due to poor thermoregulation (lack of sweat glands) elevates the status of the wallow from a mere environmental feature to a core management requirement equivalent to sustenance. For the successful health and productivity of water buffalo, especially in warm climates, farmers must guarantee continuous, unfettered access to a suitable environment for immersion, such as a deep pond or a clean mud wallow. If this access is restricted, such as during a prolonged drought, the resulting stress can severely impact the animal's well-being, leading to reduced output and potential illness, underscoring that the 'water' in their name dictates their ecological niche.