Birsa Agriculture University, Ranchi.

Ranchi, Jan. 13: Jharkhand is far ahead of other states when it comes to breeding and supplying of pigs, thanks to programmes conducted by Birsa Agriculture University (BAU), Ranchi.

From neighbouring Bengal and Chhattisgarh to far away Punjab, BAU has become the focal point for supply of pigs and piglets.

It is also serving as the chief expertise centre for meeting the growing demand for bacon countrywide.

“The state governments and various NGOs and self-help groups (SHGs) are fast taking to breeding pigs as part of their poverty alleviation programme. The demand for bacon, particularly in the countryside, far outstrips that of mutton as pork is far cheaper. We are receiving requests from all over the country for supply of pigs and piglets. Some times, we cannot cater to the demand,” said Sant Kumar Singh, the head of department of animal nutrition, Ranchi Veterinary College, BAU.

Apart from Bengal, Chhattisgarh and Punjab, BAU farms supply pigs and piglets to Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Guwahati, Meghalaya and Haryana.

Singh said the government of Chhattisgarh has requested BAU to train its officials on the breeding of T&D variety of pigs. T&D pigs, a cross breed between the local variety and the British Tamworth breed, are a special variety developed by BAU after extensive research.

This breed is unique as it grows quickly, breeds more and has a unique resistance to diseases.

“We are organising programmes for 14 SHGs from Krishi Vigyan Kendras in Purulia and Bengal on pig breeding. Training for 13 groups is over. The 14 SHGs have together demanded 80,000 to 90,000 piglets of the T&D breed from us,” Singh said.