ICAR-AICRP on Pig, Nagaland Centre, Department of Livestock Production Management, at Nagaland University, School of Agricultural Sciences, Medziphema campus organised an awareness program on “Selection of Breeding Gilts and Boarlings” for the trainees of Veterinary Field Assistant Training Institute (VFATI), Medziphema.

In the first session, Resource Person Dr Vinato Chishi pointed out the advantages of artificial insemination in pig farming. He said that artificial insemination enhances the quality and productivity of pigs by accessing superior genetics while the traditional method of backyard rearing, which is practised in Nagaland, is slow, relying solely on natural mating.

Dr Chishi mentioned that as per the Livestock Census in 2020, there has been a 19.6% decline in pig population in Nagaland due to the absence of breeding programs and a 50% gap between supply and demand. He also stressed on the need for improved germ plasm and scientific rearing techniques in Nagaland to support successful breeding programs.

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In the second session, Tsarila Z T Sangtam, a Ph.D. scholar from NU:SAS, discussed the process of selecting breeding gilts and boarlings to enhance breeding programs and herd productivity. She emphasised the significance of choosing healthy animals with well-functioning reproductive organs, specifically gilts with seven functional pairs of teats, or five pairs for local breeds, and boarlings with seven pairs of rudimentary teats.