Central Island Agricultural Research Institute (CIARI), Sri Vijaya Puram, in collaboration with ICAR-KVK, Sippighat (South Andaman), organised a three-day training programme from 3–5 February 2026 on “Information and awareness on scientific pig rearing practices.” A total of 25 participants took part in the programme.
Dr. Jai Sunder, Director, ICAR-CIARI, presided over the inaugural session and highlighted approaches for profitable pig rearing. Technical sessions were led by experts including Dr. Zachariah George (Subject Matter Specialist), who provided an overview of scientific pig-rearing practices, swine products, marketing channels, and briefed participants on the VB-RAM G Bill. Dr. P. Perumal (Senior Scientist) delivered sessions on common pig diseases, their management, and reproductive management suited to island conditions. Dr. P.A. Bala (Principal Scientist) explained feeding systems, balanced ration formulation, and strategies to enhance income through native pig rearing. Dr. R.R. Alyethodi (Senior Scientist) discussed breeding and genetic selection strategies, emphasising the advantages of superior germplasm. As part of the practical exposure, participants visited the piggery unit of the Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services, Dollygunj, where Dr. Subhash Palve, Senior Veterinary Officer, and his team explained unit operations, fodder management, Azolla cultivation, chaff cutting, and hydroponic fodder production. Participants also visited the piggery unit of the Animal Science Division, ICAR-CIARI, where Dr. Bala outlined daily piggery management practices. Ms. Sneha Sawhney and Mr. Abhishek Desai demonstrated iron therapy for piglets, piglet selection procedures, docking, and needle-tooth removal.
The programme concluded with insights from Dr. Y. Ramakrishna, Principal Scientist and Head, KVK South Andaman, who emphasised the importance of utilising local resources and addressing feed scarcity to enhance profitability in livestock farming.