ICAR-NOFRI organized animal health camp cum piglet distribution at Namthang South Sikkim
Pig farming is potential source of livelihood and nutritional security for the tribal farmers of Sikkim. In continuation to strengthen livelihood of tribal farmers, ICAR-National Organic Farming Research Institute, advocated pig farming under deep litter housing system fitted with water harvesting structures developed by the Institute. In this system of pig rearing the water consumption will be minimal and also farmers will get bulk amount of manure of organic origin that will boost their crop and horticultural production. On April 5, 2017, Dr. R. K. Avasthe, Joint Director, ICAR- NOFRI highlighted the importance of pig farming, especially when the government is pushing for about doubling the farmers income by 2022. In such circumstances it was stated that the importance of animal husbandry is paramount and, encouraged the farmers to make Sikkim self sufficient in milk, meat and egg production unlike the agriculture where limited cultivable land and topography strongly hinders self sufficiency in agricultural production.
Dr Brijesh Kumar, Scientist (Animal Reproduction), ICAR-NOFRI narrated the benefits of pig farming under deep litter housing system, especially in this system piglets seldom require iron supplementation as sow and piglets get sufficient iron from the soil and also chances of diarrhoea and skin diseases is very less as compared to conventional pig farming. Further he also highlighted the importance of periodic deworming, vaccination and management of pregnant sows and attention during the farrowing to reduce piglet mortality.
Dr. P. K. Pathak, SMS (Animal Science), KVK, East Sikkim highlighted the importance of proper housing and feeding and health management. He also emphasized the cultivation of tuberous crops on unutilized land apart from feeding of horticultural waste and left over kitchen waste, hostels and hotels to reduce cost of production and efficient recycling of the waste and better return.
Dr. Ashish Yadav, Sr. Scientist (Horticulture), ICAR-NOFRI, stressed the cultivation of squash for pig feeding and also informed the gathering that ICARI-NOFRI maintaining more than 80 type of squash cultivar and can be cultivated round the year. Further, he also narrated the technique of round the year vegetable production under low cost plastic tunnel for enhancing farmers income.
Dr. C. N. Bhutia, SMS (Animal Science), KVK, South Sikkim, summarized the scientific husbandry practices in livestock rearing in general and pig farming in particular.
Piglets along with essential feed and medicine were distributed among tribal beneficiaries, thereafter field visit was made for first hand information regarding existing feeding, newly constructed deep litter houses etc.
The program was held at KVK, South Sikkim and coordinated by staffs of KVK, South Sikkim.
