Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 19 February 2025
The ICAR-Central Island Agricultural Research Institute (ICAR-CIARI), Sri Vijaya Puram, in collaboration with ICAR-National Research Centre (NRC) on Yak, Dirang, organized a training programme on “Scientific Pig Farming and Piglet Distribution” under the NEH component of the All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) on Pig. The initiative, aimed at empowering Monpa farmers, saw the participation of 73 farmers from the region.
Dr. Mihir Sarkar, Director of NRC on Yak, encouraged farmers to embrace pig farming, emphasizing that Arunachal Pradesh’s climate is highly suitable for rearing pigs. He highlighted the lucrative nature of pig farming, given the high demand for pork across the Northeastern states. Expressing gratitude to ICAR-CIARI for spearheading the initiative, Dr. Sarkar urged farmers to capitalize on this opportunity.
Dr. Arun Kumar De, Senior Scientist at ICAR-CIARI, educated the trainees on the significance of indigenous pig breeds, particularly in the context of climate change. He introduced a zero-budget pig farming model, which can enhance farmers’ earnings without heavy investment. Meanwhile, Dr. Debasis Bhattacharya, Principal Scientist at ICAR-CIARI, addressed the health concerns of pigs and discussed preventive measures under the One Health programme.
Dr. Shubham Loat, Scientist at ICAR-NRC on Yak, welcomed the participants and underlined the role of pig farming in improving the economic conditions of yak farmers. A dedicated scientist-farmer interaction session provided farmers with insights into best practices, including the importance of pig castration for quicker financial returns.
As part of the initiative, 73 piglets were distributed among the farmers, equipping them with resources to kickstart their pig farming ventures. The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr. Vijay Paul, Principal Scientist, who extended special appreciation to Dr. E.B. Chakurkar, Director of ICAR-CIARI, for supporting the programme by deputing scientific personnel.
This collaborative effort underscores the growing focus on scientific livestock farming as a means to boost rural livelihoods and enhance the agricultural economy in Arunachal Pradesh.