ICAR guidelines

What ICAR Says – Key Guidelines for Pig Farmers Availing Schemes

The ICAR Handbook of Animal Husbandry (2019) and ICAR-AICRP on Pig Technical Bulletins provide clear guidelines on how pig farmers should set up their farms to qualify for government schemes and to ensure maximum production. (ICAR Handbook of Animal Husbandry, 4th Edition, 2019)

5.1 Recommended Breed Selection

ICAR recommends the following breeds based on the region and purpose:

Breed

Suitable Region

Large White Yorkshire

All India

Landrace

Punjab, Haryana, UP

Hampshire

South India

Ghungroo

West Bengal, North-East

Zovawk

Mizoram

Source: ICAR Breed Descriptors and AICRP on Pig, 2020

5.2 ICAR Recommended Farm Size for Scheme Applications

ICAR recommends that a small farmer should start with a minimum unit of 1 boar + 10 sows (breeding unit) or a fattening unit of 50–100 pigs for the first batch. This size qualifies for most government scheme benefits and ensures economic viability. (ICAR-AICRP on Pig Management Guidelines, 2021)

5.3 Housing and Hygiene Requirements

ICAR guidelines state that pig sheds should be constructed on elevated, well-drained land with proper flooring (cement/concrete), good ventilation, clean water supply, and adequate space — at least 1.5 sq. meters per pig for growing pigs and 4–6 sq. meters per sow. Proper biosecurity measures must be in place to prevent disease entry. These standards are also required by most government schemes before releasing subsidy. (ICAR Housing Standards for Pigs, 2019)

5.4 Feeding Recommendations

ICAR feeding standards specify that a growing pig (20–60 kg) requires a diet with 18% crude protein and 3,200 kcal digestible energy per kg of feed. A simple, low-cost ration can be made using maize (60%), rice bran (15%), soybean meal (20%), and mineral mixture (5%). ICAR also recommends using locally available agro-industrial byproducts like broken rice, cassava, and vegetable waste to reduce feed costs. (ICAR Nutrient Requirements of Livestock – Pigs, 2020)

. Practical Tips for Farmers Before Applying

• First visit your nearest Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) or District Animal Husbandry office to understand which scheme is best for your situation.

• Prepare a simple project report (DPR – Detailed Project Report) showing how many pigs you plan to keep, what you will spend, and your expected income. Banks and government offices will ask for this.

• Join a local Pig Farmer Group, SHG, or FPO — this makes it much easier to apply for schemes and get loans.

• Get your pigs vaccinated regularly as per the schedule recommended by ICAR and your State Veterinary Department — this is required before applying for insurance.

• Keep a simple daily record of feed given, deaths, sales, and expenses. ICAR recommends that all pig farmers maintain a farm diary.

ICAR-NRC Pig has developed a free mobile application called 'PigCare' that helps farmers maintain farm records, get feeding advice, and access information on government schemes. Farmers can download it from Google Play Store. (ICAR-NRC Pig Digital Initiatives Report, 2022)