Cluster Based Scientific Pig Rearing Model for Tribal Farmers of Meghalaya: A Success Story

Ri-Bhoi - the aspirational district of Meghalaya was chosen for implementation of cluster based scientific pig farming sponsored by Department of Biotechnology for tribal people of the district and being implemented by ICAR-RC NEH, Umiam. Altogether, 169 number of cross bred piglets were distributed to 96 tribal pig farmers located in 8 different villages of the district. The farmers were given training and knowhow to raise the piglets scientifically with emphasis on health, hygiene and raising them as breeder stock. They were supported by veterinary services, artificial insemination, low cost feed formulation, low cost pig housing and were exposed to successful pig farms through educational tours. Altogether, 119 numbers of piglets were born within a span of one year and the farmers were made self-sufficient to carry forward the project further. This model approach of cluster based pig rearing was tried first time in the state which can be a base model for further such programmes.