Our Correspondent
Kohima | September 2
Buoyed by the recognition of Tenyi Vo as a breed of Indian pig recently by the Breed Registration Committee of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), the Nagaland Department of Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services is all set to promote and conserve this indigenous pig on a large scale.
The application for certification of Tenyi Vo breed of pig was applied by Dr. M. Catherine Rutsa, Assistant Professor, Department of APM, Nagaland University, Medziphema. The breed was certified by the Breed Registration Committee ICAR on June 21, 2016 with the accession number - INDIA_PIG_1400_TENYIVO_09004.
Nagaland’s Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services Director, Dr IP Khala told a press conference here today that with the recognition of Tenyi Vo, the state can now develop and conserve it. He also said the department will undertake research study on Tenyi Vo.
He stated that there is scope for developing the breed, along with the potential to increase the size of the particular breed of pig up to 60 to 70 kg without spoiling its genetic character.
r. Catherine informed that the Tenyi Vo breed is indigenous to the districts of Kohima, Peren and Phek of Nagaland state and Senapati district of Manipur.
Tenyi Vo pigs have a strong and long tapering snout, small erect ears and bright alert eyes. It is predominantly black in colour with white markings on the forehead, flanks and legs. The tail is long and usually ends with a white switch. Adult pigs weigh from 35 to 50 kg. The estimated population is about 60,000 to 70,000.
Another feature of Tenyi Vo is that it possesses excellent motherly quality and has very good meat quality with a distinctive flavour.
It may be recalled that the Breed Registration Committee of ICAR in its meeting on June 21, 2016 at New Delhi approved registration of nine new breeds of livestock and poultry. This includes one breed of cattle, two breeds each of goat and sheep, three breeds of pig, and one breed of chicken.
After including these newly registered breeds, total number of indigenous breeds now in the country is 160 – 40 for cattle, 13 for buffalo, 26 for goat, 42 for sheep, 6 for horses & ponies, 9 for camel, 6 for pig, 1 for donkey, and 17 for chicken.
