To strengthen pig farming in Punjab, Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana has taken an initiative to develop a joint venture between Polar Genetics, a Canadian Firm; state pig farmers and GADVASU, Ludhiana. To implement this
idea, a meeting was organized at GADVASU, under the chairmanship of Dr A S Nanda, Vice-Chancellor of Guru Angad Dev Veterinary Animal Sciences University (GADVASU). The meeting was attended by Mr. Alfred Wahl, President Polar Genetics, Canada; Mr Sikandar Singh International project consultant Polar Genetics, Canada, Dr S N S Randhawa, Director of Research, Dr Parkash Singh Brar, Director livestock farms, GADVASU, Scientists from Animal Reproduction, Nutrition and Livestock Production and Management and Pig farmers from Punjab. The various aspects of pig farming were discussed at length. The vice chancellor, Dr A S Nanda emphasized the need to generate and implementing scientific data to improve production of crossbred pigs under field conditions. It was decided to develop a project, wherein technical assistance will be provided by GADVASU, while financial assistance will be from Polar Genetics Canada.
The Director of Research, GADVASU, opined that techniques like semen collection, processing, freezing and artificial insemination should be standardized at GADVASU farm. The experts also put their inputs on different issues of pig farming. He said that Polar Genetics, is producing swine semen of different breeds and supplying to a large number of countries. The semen is available as frozen one and can be used to improve the swine breed.
Dr Parkash Singh Brar, Director livestock farms said that Pig population has been gradually increasing over the years as its farming is picking up in Punjab. Pigs are reared mainly for meat purpose to meet the protein requirements of human population. Cross breeding is also being carried out by using imported pig semen, however, there is no scientific data available regarding the effects of cross breeding on age at puberty, growth rate, conception rates and infertility. The aim of this partnership is to develop protocols for optimum nutrition, management and reproduction in crossbred pigs being reared under local climatic conditions.
