Last month (27 Feb 2014), the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) and partners convened a meeting of actors in the pig sector in Nagaland, India, to review policies that could better support pig farming in this very poor state.

Participants in the ‘Policy dialogue on mainstreaming models for pig-based livelihood improvement in Nagaland,’ held at Kohima, included the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, Meghalaya Basin Development Authority, the Sir Ratan Tata Trust, Navajbai Ratan Tata Trust, North Eastern Rural Livelihood Project, Department of Veterinary and Animal Husbandry and the government of Nagaland.

Pig farming is an important livelihood for small-scale farmers in Nagaland. In 2011, the Sir Ratan Tata Trust, the Navajbai Ratan Tata Trust and ILRI started supporting rural Indian farmers here to raise pigs more efficiently.

The program works to better pig farming in three ways: improving feeding through public-private partnerships, improving the breeding and housing of village pigs, and controlling classical swine fever, a highly contagious and potentially fatal disease of pigs.

As reported in the Eastern Mirror, a newspaper in Nagaland, the 35 participants of the day-long meeting discussed ways of ‘mainstreaming models for pig-based livelihoods’ across the state.

The Morung Express reported that the meeting led to adoption of the project’s approaches by Nagaland’s veterinary and animal health department, which is also considering setting up ‘state-level classical swine fever control programs and mobiliz[ing] more resources to support initiatives to boost pig farming’.

A working group comprising Tata Trust staff, Nagaland government officials and ILRI scientists has been tasked with coming up with proposals for widening adoption of the models across the state.

Read the full stories:

Policymakers meet on pig farming, Eastern Mirror, 27 Feb 2014.

Yitachu calls for change in mindset; favours non-cash subsidy to farmers, Nagaland Post, 27 Feb 2014.

Nagaland state piggery sector requires more attention: ILRI, The Morung Express, 27 Feb 2014.

Photo caption: A pig farmer in Lampongsheangha Village of Mon District, Nagaland, India (photo credit: ILRI/Ram Deka).