GUWAHATI, Oct 17 - Two improved crossbred pig varieties � �Rani� and �Asha� � were released at ICAR-NRC on Pig located at Rani on the outskirts of the city, by Dr H Rahman, Deputy Director General (Animal Science) of ICAR, on Saturday.
Delivering his inaugural speech on the occasion, Director of the Institute Dr DK Sarma explained the demand-supply gap of pork in the northeastern region in specific and the country as a whole. He explained the need of good pig germplasm for farmers.
�Rani�, the crossbred variety, has been developed by ICAR-NCR on Pig by crossing the exotic breed �Hampshire� with the indigenous breed �Ghungroo� to get 50 per cent genetic share of each breed. The new crossbreed can gain almost 75 kg body weight at slaughter age of eight months with 1.98 cm of back fat thickness.
�Duroc�, another exotic germplasm, was crossed with �Rani� to develop the �Asha� crossbreed to have 25 per cent of �Ghungroo�, 25 per cent of �Hampshire� and 50 per cent of �Duroc� inheritance. �Asha� can produce 80 kg lean pork at the slaughter age of eight months with 1.75 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.
Dr RS Gandhi, Assistant Director General (Animal Production and Breeding), ICAR, New Delhi, explained the increasing interest of farmers and entrepreneurs about piggery, which requires good breeding animals.
In his presidential remarks, Dr H Rahman, Deputy Director General (Animal Science), ICAR, New Delhi, appreciated the efforts of the Institute for development of fast growing crossbred pigs and expected that the rural farmers would benefit through rearing of improved pig germplasm. He later distributed �Rani� and �Asha� piglets to pig farmers of the adopted village and released a few publications of the Institute as well.
Senior officials from ICAR headquarters, Animal Husbandry departments of the 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. This was stated in a press release issued here today.
