Annual Review Meeting of “AICRP and Megaseed Project on Pig” organized at ICAR- CIARI, Port Blair, Andaman & Nicobar Islands

The Annual Review Meeting of “All India Coordinated Research Project on Pig” and “Megaseed Project on Pig” was organized at the ICAR-Central Island Agricultural Research Institute (CIARI), Port Blair, Andaman & Nicobar Islands from 25 to 26th August, 2022.

Dr. Bhupendra Nath Tripathi, Deputy Director General (Animal Science), ICAR highlighted the importance of pig for food and economic security in the country, especially among weaker sections of the society. The DDG stressed on the need for research directed towards development of location specific technologies for research driven of piggery in the country. Dr. Tripathi also emphasized on characterization and conservation of indigenous pig germplasm.

During the programme, Dr.V.K.Saxena, Assistant Director General (AP&B), ICAR highlighted application of genomic technologies for identification and breeding of superior germplasm.

Dr. V.K.Gupta, Director, ICAR-NRC on Pig & Project Coordinator presented Coordinator’s report for the year 2021-22 and suggested the centres to work towards supporting farmers for dissemination of technologies for economic upliftment and livelihood security.

Dr. E.B.Chakurkar, Director, ICAR-CIARI highlighted the role of importance of native pig germplasm of the A&N Islands and contribution of ICAR-CIARI, Port Blair for nutritional security and entrepreneurship development.

During the occasion, Dr. B.N. Tripathi, laid the foundation stone for construction of a conservation unit for native goat germplasm in presence of ADG (AP&B), Director, ICAR-NRCP and Director-CIARI, Port Blair. The delegates visited institute farm and research facilities

The meeting was attended by Principal Investigators of 21 cooperating centres spread across the country, Scientists of ICAR-NRC on Pig, Assam and ICAR-CIARI, Port Blair.