Dimapur, January 14 (MExN): The NEPED-NRTT Livelihood Piggery project has for the first time in Nagaland successfully carried out Artificial Insemination (AI) on a pig, outside research farms in field condition. The pig, a Ghungroo breed was artificially inseminated with Hampshire boar semen in September 2013. Dr. Vihielie Sanchu , with guidance from Dr. Vilatuo Rutsa carried out the insemination. The mother pig belonged to Atsole of Medziphema village, said a release received here.
On January 4, 2014, the Ghungroo gave birth to eight (8) healthy piglets. The eight piglets put together weighed 5120 grams. Each of the individual piglet weighed 610 grams approximately, said Vizonyu Liezie, an officer of the NEPED Project. The semen was obtained from the Mega Seed Farm, ICAR Jharnapani.
In Nagaland, there is a traditional passion for pig rearing fueled by high demand of pork meat; however, many farmers refuse to rear un-castrated boars. Now with this success, artificial insemination will become the best option to benefit piggery farmers and villagers, the release stated. Use of AI is a cheaper means for introducing improved breed stocks and upgrading indigenous stocks, it noted, adding if semen is made readily available, this cheaper method of propagation can be conveniently put into practice in rural areas.
