Pig farming can offer additional source of income, says expert

Our Correspondent

Hoshiarpur, December 12

A five-day piggery training course was conducted at veterinary polyclinic, Hoshiarpur, in collaboration with farm-tech and government pig farm, Kheowal. A new pig breed, Hampshire, which has been recently introduced at the farm was a centre of attraction for farmers who came to attend the training from various parts of Punjab, Haryana and Madhya Pradesh.

Dr Rana Preet Gill, veterinary officer, Bajwara, said the pig market was a growing sector in Punjab and to encourage them for diversification, such trainings are implemented by the Animal Husbandry Department, Punjab.

Dr Dheeraj, in-charge of Government pig farm held practical demonstrations for the farmers guiding them about the management of farms and piggery practices. Dr Ashuma Vasudev, Dr Manmohan Dardi and Dr Harsimran Kaur held lectures on the diet and nutrition of the piggery.

India has a population of about 5 million pigs which is less than one per cent of the world population. Annual production of pork and pork products is about 50,000 tonnes which is less than 10 per cent of total meat produced in the country. The demand of increased pig meat in North-East region has led to the proliferation of piggery farms in Punjab. These piggery farms meet the home consumption as well supply pork to other states in the country.

Apart from the regular crop cycle, the attendee farmers were also encouraged to open new technology piggery farms. Piggery farming is becoming lucrative as the initial investment is low, the litter size is large, pigs are resistant to many diseases. It can provide an additional source of income for farmers. Government also provides a reasonable subsidy on the opening of pig farms to encourage individuals.

Sanjeev Vasudev, MD of Innovative farm way advised farmers to go for diversification by investing in pig farms to increase their economic prospects.