Pig Farming: 7 Important Pig Breeds in India

Pig farming is a profitable livestock business in India and many people have already established a successful pig-rearing business. Commercial pig farming is advantageous due to the fact that pigs are prolific breeders who can deliver 10 - 14 piglets in one birth. India has a variety of exotic breeds, including large white Yorkshire, Landrace, Duroc, Berkshire, and Hampshire. Let’s discuss some of the important pig breeds in the country.

Seven Major Pig Breeds in India

1. Large White Yorkshire

It is a small-sized animal. In India, it is the most widely reared breed of pig. It is renowned for producing large amounts of milk as well as meat with minimal fat content. The body is white with patches of black pigment. They have longer legs, a somewhat long head, a face that is slightly depressed, pricked ears, and light, long shoulders. A mature pig weighs 300–400 kg, whereas a mature one weighs 230–320 kg. It is mostly employed for cross-breeding purposes. It has a tough character that adapts well to many environmental situations.

2. Middle White Yorkshire

The breed is reared only in particular regions of India. It is a breed that matures quickly. Compared to Large Yorkshire, these breeds are less productive. Its coat is white in hue. A mature pig weighs 250–340 kg and weighs around 180–270 kg. It is renowned for its calm demeanor, strong parental instincts and high-caliber meat output. This breed features a balanced or symmetrical physique, huge prick ears, and a snub snout.

3. Hampshire

North East India is the home of this breed. Hampshire is an average size pig. The breed is mainly found at the ICAR Research Complex for the NEH Region, Meghalaya. This breed is renowned for producing meat of the highest caliber and for having exceptional body quality. The characteristics of the Hampshire breed are quick growth, good temperament and outstanding breeders. This breed's body is black with a white band running across the shoulders and down the front legs. It has long legs, a long snout, and a physique that is well-muscled and well-built. Male pigs weigh around 300 kg whereas female weighs 250 kg approximately. It has a lifetime of almost 12 years on average.

4. Berkshire

This breed was developed in the county of Berkshire in south-central England by crossing over between traditional English hogs and sows with Siamese and Chinese ancestry. The European wild boar Sus scrofa was the ancestor of the English hog. This breed of pig has a massive, heavy-boned body, long legs, and an arched, thin back. They weigh around 500 kg. They are renowned for their lean flesh. They began to exist as a cultivable breed in 1816. As early as 1823, they were brought into the United States. They have black coats, white feet, and black face stripes. Their face is dish-shaped.

5. Landrace

Landrace breeds are widely used nowadays. By breeding domesticated pigs with Large White Yorkshires, the breed was created in Denmark. It can be found primarily in North Eastern states of India. It is a little creature. White skin with black dots makes up the body. It features light forequarters, a lengthy midsection and white skin. It also has loped ears. A mature boar weighs 270–360 kg, whereas a mature sow weighs 200–320 kg. This breed's carcass quality is comparable to that of a Yorkshire pig. It is renowned for having superior breeding.

6. Ghungroo

The earliest reports of it come from North Bengal. It has a reputation for being highly prolific and is capable of surviving on a budget-friendly input scheme. This breed yields a large number of piglets of excellent grade. The Ghungroo pig has a bulldog-like face and a black body hue. It gives birth to 6 to 12 piglets, each weighing 1 kilogram at birth, and by the time the piglets are weaned, weigh around 7 to 10 kg. Ghungroo pigs, both male and female, are kind and obedient.

7. Duroc

North East India is the home of this breed. The breed is of high caliber and its body colour is crimson. It is available at the ICAR Research Complex for the NEH Region, Meghalaya. The ears of the Duroc breed are droopy and medium in length. The breed was developed mostly in America and is now utilized in northeastern India. Male pigs weigh 500–750 kg, whereas female pigs weigh 204–295 kg.

Some of the Other Indian Breeds of pigs are:

• Andaman and Nicobari pigs

• Ankamali

• Doom

• Ghori