Central Government Schemes for Pig Farmers

3.1 National Livestock Mission (NLM)

The National Livestock Mission (NLM) is one of the most important schemes for pig farmers. It was started in 2014–15 by the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying (MFAHD). The NLM focuses on the development of livestock sector, including pigs, by providing financial help, training, and infrastructure support to farmers. (MFAHD, Government of India, 2022)

Key features of NLM for pig farmers:

• Subsidy of 50% (for general category) and up to 33.33% (linked to bank loan) for setting up pig breeding units.

• Financial support for construction of pig sheds, purchase of breeding animals, and purchase of feed mixing machines.

• Special support for Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) farmers — they receive higher subsidy amounts.

• Training programs for pig farmers on scientific management, feeding, and disease control.

Under the Entrepreneurship Development and Employment Generation (EDEG) component of NLM, individual farmers, Self Help Groups (SHGs), and Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) can apply for funding to establish pig farms. The maximum project cost supported is ₹50 lakhs per beneficiary under this component. (NLM Guidelines, MFAHD, 2021)

How to Apply: Visit your district Animal Husbandry Department office or apply online through the NLM portal: www.nlm.udyamimitra.in

3.2 Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund (AHIDF)

The Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund (AHIDF) was announced in May 2020 with a corpus of ₹15,000 crore. This scheme was created to support investment in the animal husbandry sector, including pig farming. Under this scheme, farmers, MSMEs, and private companies can get loans at very low interest rates to set up or expand pig processing units, pig breeding farms, and pig feed manufacturing units. (DAHD, AHIDF Guidelines, 2020)

• Interest subvention of 3% per annum is given — meaning the government pays 3% of your loan interest on your behalf.

• Eligible activities include: pig slaughterhouses, pig cold chain infrastructure, pig meat processing, and pig feed plants.

• Minimum loan amount: ₹10 lakh. Maximum loan: No upper limit for large projects.

ICAR advises pig farmers who want to scale up their business to use the AHIDF scheme in combination with NLM to maximize their financial benefit. A farmer can use NLM for the breeding farm setup and AHIDF for the processing or value addition unit. (ICAR-CIRG Advisory Note, 2021)

How to Apply: Apply through the AHIDF portal at www.ahidf.udyamimitra.in or through any scheduled commercial bank.

3.3 Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) – Animal Husbandry Component

Although primarily a fisheries scheme, PMMSY has components that support integrated farming, including pig farming when combined with fish farming (pig-cum-fish integrated farming system). ICAR highly recommends integrated pig-fish farming as it reduces waste and increases income.

In the ICAR-recommended integrated pig-fish farming system, pig waste is used as pond manure, which promotes fish growth naturally. This system can increase a farmer's total income by 40–60% compared to separate fish or pig farming alone. (ICAR-CIFA Technical Bulletin on Integrated Pig-Fish Farming, 2019)

• Subsidy of 40% for general category and 60% for SC/ST/women farmers is available for integrated farming units.

• Support for construction of pig sty adjacent to fish pond, purchase of piglets and fingerlings.

3.4 PM Kisan Sampada Yojana (PMKSY) – Cold Chain and Meat Processing

The Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA Yojana provides financial support for setting up cold chains, food processing units, and value addition centers. Pig farmers who wish to process and sell pork products like sausages, bacon, ham, or cured pork can benefit from this scheme. A grant of up to ₹10 crore is available for mega food processing units. (MoFPI, PMKSY Guidelines, 2022)

Pig farmer groups, cooperatives, and FPOs can apply jointly to set up pig processing units under this scheme.

4. State Government Schemes for Pig Farmers

In addition to central government schemes, many state governments have their own pig development programs. According to ICAR-AICRP on Pig data, states like Meghalaya, Manipur, Nagaland, and Assam have the most active state-level pig development schemes, as pork is a major part of the local diet and economy in these states. (ICAR-AICRP on Pig Annual Report, 2021–22)

4.1 State Pig Breeding Programmes

Most states run pig breeding programs through State Animal Husbandry Departments. Key benefits include:

• Free or subsidized supply of improved piglets (breeds like Large White Yorkshire, Landrace, Hampshire, and their crosses).

• ICAR recommends that farmers in North-East India use IVRI-developed breeds such as Ghungroo (a local breed improved by ICAR) which is well-suited to local conditions.

• Free vaccination against Swine Fever and Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD).

The Ghungroo pig is a native breed of West Bengal that has been conserved and improved by ICAR. It is hardy, disease-resistant, and gives good meat quality. ICAR recommends using Ghungroo or Zovawk (a Mizoram breed) in areas with poor feed availability, as they survive on low-cost local feed. (ICAR Breed Description – Ghungroo and Zovawk, 2020)

4.2 Schemes in North-East India (Special Category States)

The North East Region Agriculture Marketing Corporation (NERAMAC) and the North East Rural Livelihood Project (NERLP) run special pig farming schemes in the eight North-Eastern states. In these states, pig farming subsidy can go up to 75% of the project cost for women farmers and tribal communities. (NERAMAC Annual Report, 2021; NERLP Project Document)

• Free distribution of improved boars (male pigs for breeding) to village-level pig breeding centers.

Financial support for building scientific pig sheds with proper drainage, sanitation, and biosecurity.