ICAR-National Research Centre on Pig, Guwahati: Revolutionizing Pig Research and Development in India
Introduction:
The ICAR-National Research Centre on Pig (ICAR-NRCP), located in Rani, Guwahati, Assam, stands as India’s premier institution dedicated exclusively to pig research. Established to promote sustainable pig production, improve pig breeds, and enhance farmer livelihood, this institute plays a crucial role in the animal husbandry sector of the country. With its world-class infrastructure, cutting-edge research, and farmer-centric outreach programs, ICAR-NRCP is leading the way in boosting pork production and providing nutritional security across the nation.
📜 Establishment of ICAR-National Research Centre on Pig
- Established: 1986
- Operational Since: 1990
- Administered By: Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi
- Location: Rani, 20 km from Guwahati city, Assam
Initially, the Centre was started under the North Eastern Hill Region (NEH) program to address the potential of pig farming in Northeast India. It was later upgraded and expanded as a national-level research institution, focusing on improving productivity, genetics, and farming systems for pig production.
🤝 Affiliations
The Centre functions under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India. It collaborates with:
- State Veterinary Departments
- Agricultural and Veterinary Universities
- International organizations like FAO and ILRI
- Private pig breeders and NGOs
🎓 Courses Offered and Training Programs
Although the centre does not offer traditional academic degree programs, it provides hands-on training and capacity-building programs for:
1. Farmers & Entrepreneurs:
- Scientific pig rearing
- Feed formulation techniques
- Breeding management
- Disease control and biosecurity
2. Veterinary Professionals & Researchers:
- Artificial Insemination in pigs
- Molecular biology and genomics
- Health management in piggery
3. Internship/Dissertation Programs:
- For undergraduate and postgraduate students in Veterinary, Animal Sciences, and Biotechnology
- Short-term project work and laboratory training
These programs aim to bridge the gap between laboratory research and field-level application.
🏢 Facilities at ICAR-NRCP, Guwahati
The Centre is well-equipped with state-of-the-art infrastructure, ensuring both research and training run efficiently.
🔬 Research and Laboratory Facilities:
- Molecular Biology Lab
- Pathology & Microbiology Lab
- Reproductive Physiology Lab
- Feed Analysis & Nutrition Lab
🐷 Livestock & Breeding Units:
- Modern pig farms with crossbred and indigenous pigs
- Artificial Insemination unit
- Model Pig Housing System
- Piglet rearing and nursery management sheds
📚 Knowledge and Training Infrastructure:
- Smart classrooms and training halls
- Library with extensive scientific literature
- Demonstration units
- E-learning support for distance learning modules
💼 Placement and Entrepreneurial Support Cell
While the Centre is not a formal educational university, it offers immense entrepreneurial and field-level placement support, especially for trained individuals and piggery startups.
Services Include:
- Handholding of startups through the Agri-Business Incubation (ABI) model
- Linking trained farmers with NABARD and other financial institutions for loans
- Exposure visits and piglet distribution
- Collaboration with NGOs and state governments for skill development
- Organizing Piggery Melas and exhibitions to promote pig farming entrepreneurship
🔍 Research Activities and Contributions
The research focus of ICAR-NRCP has transformed piggery development in India.
📈 Major Research Areas:
- Genetic improvement and conservation of indigenous pig breeds
- Crossbreeding strategies for higher productivity
- Disease surveillance and vaccine development
- Formulation of balanced and economical pig feed
- Reproductive technologies like AI and embryo transfer
- Studies on pig behavior, welfare, and housing in Indian climates
🏅 Notable Achievements:
- Development of superior pig germplasm like HD-K75, Rani Pig, and Ghungroo crosses
- Introduction of low-cost feed formulations using local ingredients
- Disease diagnostic kits for Classical Swine Fever (CSF)
- Contributions to livelihood improvement of thousands of farmers in the Northeast
🗺️ Address and Contact Details
ICAR – National Research Centre on Pig
Rani (Near Airport),
Guwahati – 781131, Assam, India
📞 Phone: +91-361-2847195 / 2847221
📠 Fax: +91-361-2847195
📧 Email: director.nrcp@icar.gov.in
🌐 Website: https://nrcp.icar.gov.in
🌟 Conclusion
The ICAR-National Research Centre on Pig, Guwahati, is more than just a research institute—it is a beacon of innovation, skill development, and agricultural transformation in Northeast India. From enhancing genetic stock to training grassroots entrepreneurs, the Centre plays a pivotal role in making piggery a profitable and sustainable venture for Indian farmers. Whether you are a budding entrepreneur, a scientist, or a policymaker, ICAR-NRCP stands as a dynamic platform fostering excellence in livestock research and rural empowerment.
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