GUWAHATI, 19 October 2016 : ICAR-National Research Centre of Pig (ICAR-NRCP) has announced that it has developed two new and cross breed of pigs called as ‘Rani’ and ‘Asha’ in Guwahati , Assam.

This was revealed by Dr H. Rahman, Deputy Director General (Animal Science), ICAR at ICAR-NRC on Pig at its campus in Rani, Assam.

Speaking at the event, Dr D.K. Sarma explained the demand supply gap of pork in the north eastern region in specific and country as a whole.

Sarma explained the need of good pig germplasm for the farmers.

‘Rani’, the crossbred pig variety has been developed by ICAR-NCR on Pig by crossing Hampshire (exotic breed) with Ghungroo (indigenous breed) to have 50 per cent inheritance of both the breeds.

The breed characters of ‘Rani’ crossbred has been stabilized for consistent crossbreeding of six generation and can gain almost 75 kg body weight at slaughter age of 8 months with 1.98 cm of back fat thickness.

‘Rani’ cross have widely been validated in farmers’ field.

Duroc, another exotic germplasm, was crossed with ‘Rani’ to develop ‘Asha’ cross to have 25 per cent Ghungroo, 25 per cent Hampshire and 50 per cent Duroc inheritance. It can produce 80 kg lean pork at slaughter age of 8 months with1.75 cm back fat thickness.

Dr Santanu Banik, Principal Scientist and Principal Investigator of the project explained that ‘Rani’ can be propagated among the breeder farmers and ‘Asha’ for finisher producers.

The increasing interest of farmers and entrepreneurs about piggery which requires good breeding animals, Dr. R.S. Gandhi, Assistant Director General (Animal Production and Breeding), ICAR, New Delhi explained..

In his presidential remarks, Dr H. Rahman, Deputy Director General (Animal Science), ICAR, New Delhi appreciated the effort of the Institute for development of faster -growing crossbred pigs and expected that the rural farmers would be benefitted through rearing of improved pig germplasm.

Rahman later distributed ‘Rani’ and ‘Asha’ piglets to pig farmers of adopted village and released few publications of the Institute.

Senior officials from ICAR Headquarters, Animal Husbandry Departments of state Government, related ICAR Institutes, concerned Universities and AICRP on Pig and Mega Seed Project on Pig along with progressive farmers participated in the event.