ICAR conducts training on selection of pigs for breeding

KOHIMA — ICAR-All India Coordinated Research Project on Pig (AICRP on Pig), in collaboration with the Livestock Production Management department of School of Agricultural Sciences (SAS), NU Medziphema campus, conducted on campus awareness programme on ‘Selection of breeding gilts and boarlings’ on Wednesday.

The event was organised with an aim to educate the trainees of the Veterinary Field Assistant Training Institute (VFATI), Medziphema.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. H Inato, principal of VFATI, has stressed on the significance of agriculture and its related fields and underscored the need for maintaining high professional ethics and standards across all professions.

He also emphasised on the importance of adopting livestock rearing methods that align with Nagaland's meat demands in order to reduce dependence on meat imports.

Dr. Vinato Chishi delved into the benefits of artificial insemination in pig farming as the modern method improves the quality and productivity of pigs by accessing superior genetics.

It was informed that in Nagaland, traditional backyard rearing methods relying solely on natural mating and a single boar for nearby villages have proven to be slow.

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Despite a substantial demand for table purposes, Dr. Chishi stated that a 19.6% decline in pig population was noted in the Livestock Census of 2020. He, therefore, emphasised on the necessity adopt improved germplasm and scientific rearing techniques to support successful breeding programmes in Nagaland.

In his opening address, Dr. R Zuyie, an associate professor at SAS: NU, emphasised the crucial role of meticulous breeding gilt and boarling selection in augmenting the productivity of pig farming.

During the second session, Tsarila ZT Sangtam, a Ph.D. scholar at SAS: NU, elucidated the process of selecting breeding gilts (female pigs) and boarlings (male pigs) to enhance breeding programmes and herd productivity. She outlined the considerations, which encompassed physical attributes, temperament and the use of performance data such as birth and weaning weights, litter sizes and the significance of choosing healthy animals with well-functioning reproductive organs.

Specific criteria included gilts with seven functional pairs of teats (or five pairs for local breeds) and boarlings with seven pairs of rudimentary teats. The key take away from the event was the importance of selecting the right breeding stock and utilising data for well-informed breeding decisions.