Shri Mrinal Sohkhwai (34 years), an unemployed youth from Borkhatsari Village, Marngar Cluster, Ri-Bhoi, Meghalaya and his family depended mainly on agriculture as a source of income. They used to grow crops like paddy, vegetables, spices (turmeric, ginger, black pepper) and rear local Pigs for the fattening purposes. Before the intervention of ICAR-Research Complex for North-Eastern Hills Region, Umiam, he used to rear local Pigs for fattening purposes. The production potential of local indigenous Pigs is very low in terms of growth rate and litter size. Thus, to increase the production potential of indigenous Pigs, the improved breeds of Piglets (Hampshire x Local Khasi) are introduced by ICAR-RC on NEH Region, Umiam under Farmers FIRST programme.
To reduce the feed cost, in addition to the concentrate Pig feed, he also provides homemade feed. He prepares feed for Pigs at home with locally available vegetables, colocasia leaves and stems,...