All India Coordinated Research Project on pig (AICRP-pig) Nagaland centre, organized a one-day ‘Hands on training on health care of pigs’ March 14 at the Livestock Instructional farm premises, School of Agricultural Science and Rural Development (SASRD).
Dr. Razouneinuo Züyie (asst. prof.) Department of Livestock Production and Management (LPM) briefed the students on the correct way of approaching and handling of farm animals, basic health care and sterilization (castration) of male pigs to avoid unwanted breeding and to produce desirable quality pork meat with faster growth rate.
Dr. M. Catherine Rutsa, Asst. Prof. dept. LPM,NU-SASRD, apprised the students on the importance of personal health protection while handling pigs. Livestock owners or attendants with cut wounds and long finger-nail, were advised not to handle animals specially wound dressing, castration and during farrowing (act of giving birth) time. This is to safe guard oneself and animals from contacting or spreading zoonotic diseases.
The students were introduced to the different breeds (Hampshire, Tenyi Vo and up-graded Tenyi Vo) of pigs available at the farm. Fifty-five B.Sc. (Ag) students attended practical in the morning session and seven progressive pig farmers in the afternoon session. Successfully castrated nine male piglets of three weeks old plus two sows’ farrowed at noon under the supervision of Dr. Rüüsalie Nakhro (JRF) AICRP-pig, Nagaland Centre.
The trainees checked on the newly born piglets in the creep box and assisted them in suckling of the mother sow milk Colostrum.
During valedictory function, the farmers expressed happiness of the training filled with activities.