Agri - Kaleidoscope - Breeds of Pigs in NEH region

Four groups of pigs are found in India, these are 1. Wild pigs 2. Domesticated indigenous pigs, 3. Exotic pigs and 4.cross bred pigs. The wild pig known as sus scrofa cristatus found upto an elevation of 4500 metres has long snout, short-rib, prolific breed and active. The eastern region wild pig sus salvanius (Hodgson) is found in dense moist forest of Sikkim, Nepal, Bhutan and in parts of the north eastern region. The region has an agrarian society with an average of 80% tribal population except in the state of Assam and Sikkim. Among all the livestock, pig is one of the most valued and popular as 100% tribal population are pork eaters. Pork requirement surpasses production in all the NE states. At the same time the breeds of pig reared in the states are commonly cross-breeds. The local/deshi type of pigs has already been replaced with improved breeds. Most commonly the black coloured breeds are preferred.

Local pigs

The local pigs in Nagaland, Mizoram, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh are small in size, hairy and black in colour with elongated face and short ears. They are pot bellied and reported to have early age maturity, fast farrowing, and shorter inter-farrowing intervals. Some of them are white striped on the neck or shoulders and spotted on the fore-head. These pigs survive without much care especially in feeding and disease management. The Khasi, Garo, Mizo, Nagas, Arunachali pigs are similar in this regard and this pig breeds are scavenging type.

Introduced breeds such as Berkshire, large white Yorkshire, Hampshire, Saddle black and Duroc have gained popularity and acceptance throughout NE. Two pig breeds (Ghungroo, Dome) are popular in Assam and plains of Nagaland. In the Garo hills of Meghalaya and Champhai district of Mizoram, the local type of pigs are preferred to exotic breeds for the quality of meat as well as resistance to diseases. At the same time the exotic breeds require intensive care and other management practices. The Burmese black and Berkshire are well adapted in the valley of Manipur. Some of the land races of pigs in NE have long body length and the arch of back is much less pronounced than the other breeds of porcine. The head is long; rather narrow the jowl is clean. The ears are large, heavy and are carried close to the face. The sows are prolific and have good fecundity (satisfactory mothering). The sows are noted for their milk producing ability.

Large Whites: Pigs of this breed are distinguished by their picturesque bearing, erect ears, slightly dished face, white colour, pink skin, and long deep sides. They have been well known for quality bacon production. As their name suggests, they are characterized by large size. The sows are known for large litters, heavy milk production and excellent maternal instincts.

Hampshire: They are characterized with a black colour and a white belt around the chest. They are noted for their large size, prolificacy, hardy vigor, foraging ability and outstanding carcass qualities. This breed adapted well to Indian climatic conditions including Mizoram and is being extensively reared.
Durocs: Pigs of this breed have considerable variations in colour. It may range from a very light golden yellow colour to a very dark red that approaches mahogany. Durocs have a medium body length and slightly dished face. The ears are drooping and not held erect. This breed is known for lean meat.

Ghungroo: Ghungroo, an indigenous pig, was first reported in Eastern Sub-Himalayan region of West Bengal (North Bengal in particular). This pig is popular among the local people of North Bengal, because of high prolificacy and ability to perform well in low input system. Ghungroo pigs are black in colour with broad, flattened face and short, upwardly curved snout. Large, pendulous and heart shaped ears resembling those of elephant’s ears are very distinct for identification. The body top line is straight with flat type belly. Bristles are thick, coarse and long. The sows bear 5- 6 pairs of teats with the ability to give birth of average nine piglets at first farrowing. The average birth weights of male and female piglet were recorded to be 0.70 and 0.69 kg respectively. At 3- month of age, the average body weights of male and female piglet were 11.57 and 10.97 kg respectively. Behaviorally, both the sexes are very much docile and easy to handle. Especially, females show an excellent fecundity (mothering ability) which is an important trait in relation to the piglet survivability.