Livestock Promotion

Although agriculture is the prime source of livelihood for a majority of rural population in the NE region of India, dependence on livestock as an alternative source of income is significant. In remote areas of NE India, main agricultural activity of farmers is the mixed crop-livestock system with livestock as an important component. This is due to the preference of meat in the dietary habits of people in the region. Most preferred meat is pork amongst others. Hence, recognizing piggery as a promising venture due to high demand by the tribal people and a major source of income. Our focus is on piggery promotion to improve the production and creating market linkage for increasing profitability.

Considering the need of attention for improvement of livestock rearing in NE region, NEIDA facilitates the farmers in providing animal health care, technical advice, and institutional support for the improvement of breeds, feed availability, disease control and food safety of livestock.

Our approach in promoting piggery as a household level enterprise, as most of the families practice this as backyard venture. Project approach is less concerned with the initial number of animals a household rears, rather it is the number of animals they end up rearing annually. Due to the improved services and incorporation of effective measures, we aim to increase the outcome of this pig value chain. Our focus is on increasing the capacities of farmers through better care and management of pigs to increase their confidence and take up piggery as a primary income generating activity.