ICAR-NOFRI Strengthens Piggery through Hands on Training on Scientific Pig Production at Thanka Martam, East Sikkim
ICAR-National Organic Farming Research Institute (ICAR-NOFRI), Gangtok is observing the “National Productivity Week (Feb. 12-18, 2017)”. In observance, efforts are being made to strengthen the “on farm productivity” at the village level. In view of this, the importance of piggery for livelihood and nutritional security in rural economy is well understood and also similar is the potential of piggery under deep litter system to generate bulk organic manure for further strengthening of agricultural production. Training cum piglet distribution program was organized at Thanka Martam, East Sikkim, in the presence of Dr. Ravikant Avasthe, Joint Director, ICAR-National Organic Farming Research Institute. In his opening remarks, the Joint Director stressed that the tribal farmers can increase household income through piglet production and marketing. Further, he also highlighted the importance of pig manure in supplementing the crop nutrition with the potential to enhance agri-horti crop production.
Dr. Brijesh Kumar, Scientist (Animal Reproduction) highlighted the importance of pig farming under deep litter housing model. In this model, piglets seldom require iron supplementation as sow and piglets get sufficient iron from soil and chances of diarrhoea and skin diseases is also very less as compared to conventional pig farming. He also briefed about the reproductive health management of pig.
Dr. P. K. Pathak, SMS (Animal Science), KVK, East Sikkim highlighted the scientific feeding and general health management of pig for higher economic returns. Further, he also suggested incorporation of locally available feed ingredients, waste of horticultural crops and left over, safe kitchen waste of hostel and hotel to reduce cost of production and efficient recycling of the waste.
Dr. N. J. Singh, SMS (Plant Protection), KVK, East Sikkim suggested about the control measures of various major crops like maize, ginger and turmeric. He also highlighted the various ITKs as organic control measures of various insect-pests and diseases.
Mr. Sonam Tshering Bhutia, a progressive farmer of Thanka Martam extended the gratefulness to the team members of ICAR-NOFRI and urged the Joint Director for similar kinds of hands of training in future too.
The training was attended by 25 progressive farmers of Thanka Martam and adjoining villages. At end of the program, crossbred piglets were distributed among 10 numbers of tribal beneficiaries.
Issued by ICAR-NOFRI
