Study on the indigenous knowledge system on pig rearing adopted by the Rabha community of Assam
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Date
2022-09
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College of Veterinary Science, Assam Agricultural University, Khanapara Campus
Abstract
A study on the indigenous knowledge system on pig rearing adopted by the Rabha
community of Assam was conducted for which farmers from two districts namely Kamrup
and Goalpara were selected having atleast 2 pigs. The study was carried out to know the
socio-economic status of the pig farmers, managemental practices adopted by them and
the use value of pig in the socio-cultural life of the Rabha farmers. Majority of the farmers
involved in pig rearing were females (58.67 %), 67.00 % belonged to the middle age
group (29-52 years), 60.00 % had high school level of education, 83.33 % of the pig
farmers had medium family size (3-5 members) and majority (65.33 %) were agri-farmers.
About 71.33 % of the farmers had medium land holding (0.90-4.00 acres) and 91.00 %
reared 2-6 numbers of pigs. The average total annual income of the pig farmers was
Rs.103700.00±3180.84 and average annual income from piggery was
Rs.49670.00±2484.26 Share of piggery to the total income of farmer was 47.89 %.
Extensive system of rearing (78.33 %) along with tethering (52.67 %) was predominant
and pigs were fed Indigenous or locally available feedstuff (92.67 %). Majority of the pig
farmers reared cross breed pigs (85.00 %), followed by non-descript pigs (14.00 %) for
fattening purpose (86.66 %). Natural service (87.33 %) was mostly practiced for breeding
with average litter size at birth 10.3±0.38 and at weaning 9.13±0.35. About 41.33 %
farmers did not take any disease preventive and treatment measures, only 77.33 % of the
farmers did castration of piglets, 7.67 % took special care of pregnant and farrowing sows,
46.33 % carried out deworming and 15.33 % vaccinated their pigs. Only 15.00 % of the
farmers acquired piggery management training. Majority of the pig farmers (74.33 %) sold
their pigs directly to agent or wholesaler at the age of 6 months and above (73.00 %) and
51.00 % bought their piglets from local markets, 58.00 % of the farmers sold pigs due to
urgency of money. The average age of pigs at the time of marketing was 234.98±4.7 days,
average sale price of piglet was Rs.3560.33±14.50, pig was Rs.13834.00±326.00 and pork
per kg was Rs.313.53±1.22. Major constraint faced by the farmers was lack of finances for
purchasing of new animals, feed, building pig sty or farm etc. (39.33 %). Majority of the
farmers reared pigs as financial security during emergency (70.33 %). About 38.00 %
reared pigs for social occasions, 14.00 % reared for the Baikho festival and 3.33 % reared
for wedding rituals. It was also found that only 37.67 % of the farmers thought that
piggery could be taken up as a primary occupation.