The main objectives of the policy are to improve productivity through genetic enhancements of the existing pig population in the state, maintain pure germ plasm of exotic breeds to meet the requirement of the state and conserve indigenous germ plasm.

It also ensures that the breeds propagated are adapted to local climatic conditions and emerging climatic challenges and strengthen support mechanism particularly in areas of feed, housing and health care.

Studies conducted in Nagaland have found that present generation of pigs in the state are the result of haphazard breeding within and between breeds such as Hampshire, large black, saddle black, large white Yorkshire, Ghungroo, indigenous non-descript etc. As they have been developed without following any systematic and scientific method, many of these breeds do not perform well even under optimum feed situations.

To address the issue and develop breeds that are appropriate, adaptable and productive in the small holder context, a scientific profiling of existing pig breeds and correlating them with production performance while identifying the right breeds for Nagaland are very much required, the policy stated.

According to the 2012 livestock census, pig population in the state is 503,688, of which 75.59 per cent (380,719) are crossbred and 24.41 per cent (122,969) indigenous.

The Policy aims to improve the generic trait of the existing swine population in the interest of the common farmers’ economic sustainability through piggeries and to promote commercial farming of the animal in this region.