Pig Production and Livelihood Security

Piggery is one of the important animal husbandry activities and plays critical role in sustaining livelihood security of pig farmers in India. The sale of pigs and value-added pork products contributes significantly to the financial stability of smallholder farmers, empowering them economically and reducing dependence on single-crop agriculture. The capital investment required to establish a pig farm is small and ensures profit in a production cycle of less than a year. With the change in food habits and increasing urbanization, the demand for pork and value-added pork products is expected to increase, which projects greater opportunities in pig rearing. Piggery sector has thus started attracting youths and entrepreneurs as business venture on large scale. This sector is also confronted by challenges like emerging disease outbreaks, limited number of quality germplasm, scarcity of feed and waste disposal issues which need to be addressed on priority basis. Capacity building of farmers on scientific pig husbandry practices and credit availability for capital investment can help in creating supportive environment for piggery sector. Since, pig farming is mostly done by the socio-economically weaker sections of the society, it has larger impact in bringing economic prosperity. Pig farming thus has immense potential to ensure the nutritional security as well as enhance the economic status and help in attaining the sustainable development goals.