Assam’s Pig Sector Expected To Grow By 5% In FY 2025: ALPCO GM

Guwahati: Assam is making strides in enhancing its pork production despite facing significant challenges. Purnananda Konwar, General Manager, Assam Livestock and Poultry Corporation Limited (ALPCO), recently said that Assam is rapidly emerging as the biggest pork market in the state, with pork playing a major role in the meat industry of the state. Despite having the highest pig population in the country, Assam has failed to fulfil its pork production potential because of low productivity and traditional farming practices.

In an interview with Business North East (BNE), Purnananda Konwar said that more than 70 per cent of the pigs are raised in traditional backyard systems. The small-scale setups average two pigs per household and make up a whopping 70 per cent of the pig population. However, only 30 per cent of these pigs are used for pork production, leaving a considerable gap in meeting local demand.

"Though we have the highest pig population, our productivity is not up to the mark due to issues like the quality of breeds and traditional management practices," Purnananda Konwar noted. 

Pork nearly accounted for 39 per cent of the state's meat production, but still, it lags in satisfying its own consumption and avails imports. It imports about 20 per cent of meat to fulfil the consumption demand of the state and import ban since 2020.

“Smuggling persists due to the inability to fulfil local requirements entirely,” Purnananda further said, emphasizing the need for better management and self-reliance.

Purnananda Konwar also spoke of the recently launched GODREJ PRIDE HOG™ initiative, a premium swine feed which aims to transform the industry. “This feed is expected to improve immunity, health, and overall productivity. If the growth period of pigs can be reduced by two to three months, farmers will save both time and feed costs, significantly enhancing their profitability,” he explained while adding that the introduction of such advanced feed is a step towards encouraging scientific pig farming and addressing the productivity gap in the state’s pork sector.

According to the ALPCO general manager, two basic types of pig farming yield revenue. "Those are breeding and fattening. In commercial farms, the expense of raising a piglet is approximately Rs 2,200 to Rs 2,500. Once weaned, piglets may be sold for between Rs 5,000 and Rs 6,000, providing a profit margin of roughly Rs 2,000 to Rs 2,500 for each piglet. A sow can yield at least 20 piglets each year, resulting in an income of about Rs 60,000 per sow," he stated. 

He revealed that the estimated production cost for fattening pigs is approximately Rs 150 per kilogram, whereas the market price is around Rs 250 per kilogram. "Farmers can generate a gross margin of Rs 10,000 for every 100-kilogram pig. Nonetheless, because of difficulties in breed quality and management, the real profit margin typically ranges from Rs 4,000 to Rs 5,000 per pig," Purnananda Konwar told BNE during the interview.

Due to the rising market demand for pork, numerous educated but unemployed young people have started commercial pig farming. The government has actively supported these entrepreneurs by implementing various schemes and providing subsidies. 

"We provide subsidies for pig farming units, whether they are small or large. For instance, a 100-sow breeding unit costing Rs 3 crore receives a Rs 1 crore subsidy. Similarly, smallholders with two pigs can avail of a 50 per cent subsidy on the Rs 64,000 unit cost,” Purnananda Konwar explained while adding that under the National Livestock Mission, they also provide up to 50 per cent capital subsidy for units with 50 or 100 sows.

Despite establishing export-oriented processing plants, including one in Sivasagar, the export of pork has been stalled due to the outbreak of African swine fever. “We are in discussions with Bhutan and China to resume exports, but the current ban has delayed operations,” Purnananda Konwar revealed.

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Regarding pork prices, Konwar indicated that the market is relatively stable. "Currently, live pigs are selling at Rs 200 to Rs 210 per kilogram; the prices declined from the previous week's price of Rs 240 to Rs 250. However, prices would again go up temporarily by Rs 20 to Rs 30 when festivals take place," he further said.

"We expect a 4-5 per cent growth in the current financial year. With increasing commercialization and the involvement of young entrepreneurs, the pig sector could grow up to 20 per cent annually," Purnananda Konwar said, adding that this growth will not only meet local demand but also contribute significantly to the state's GDP.