Nagal pig joins India’s national breed register as Nagaland’s third recognised indigenous breed, boosting conservation and livestock development prospects
DIMAPUR — Nagaland’s native pig has gone from village farms to India’s national livestock register, earning the state its third officially recognised indigenous animal breed.
An official press release on Thursday informed that the Nagal pig, locally known as the Nagaland Large Black, has been officially registered as a distinct indigenous pig breed by the ICAR–National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources (NBAGR), Karnal.
The recognition brings Nagaland’s tally of nationally recognised indigenous livestock breeds to three, alongside the Tenyi Vo pig and Nagami Mithun.
The scientific characterisation of the Nagal pig was carried out by a multidisciplinary team led by Dr. Dinesh Kumar Yadav, Principal Scientist, ICAR-NBAGR, with contributions from Dr. Mahak Singh, Dr. Mahesh Dige, Dr. Hiabe Zeliang and Dr. H Kalita.
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The study recorded average adult body weights of 101.3 kg for sows and 117.2 kg for boars. The breed is noted for its hardiness, adaptability and ability to thrive under low-input production systems.
Closely associated with Nagaland’s traditional farming systems and food culture, the breed has been conserved and maintained by local farming communities over generations.
A “Monograph on Nagal Pig”, documenting the breed’s origin, distribution, distinctive characteristics, production and reproductive attributes and future development roadmap, was recently released at ICAR-NBAGR in Karnal, Haryana.
The monograph was released by the Director General of ICAR and the Deputy Director General (Animal Science), ICAR, during a scientific gathering at the institute.
The registration was achieved through collaboration among ICAR-NBAGR, ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Nagaland Centre, the Department of Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services (AH&VS), Nagaland government, and local farming communities.
The national registration provides the Nagal pig with an official identity and could support conservation, genetic improvement and organised breeding programmes. Proposed future initiatives include establishing nucleus herds, strengthening community-based breeding programmes and developing a traceable value chain for premium “Nagal Pork”.
There is also potential for pursuing Geographical Indication (GI) certification for Nagal Pork, subject to the required processes and approvals.
The recognition highlights the role of Nagaland’s farming communities in conserving indigenous livestock genetic resources while creating opportunities for sustainable livestock-based livelihoods, it stated.
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