Traditional Animal Husbandry Practices in Tribal States of Eastern Himalaya, India: A Case Study

摘要

Traditional pig production system in the economically most backward district of Nagaland in North Eastern Himalayan region of India was investigated. Pigs are reared under low input production system where non-conventional feed resources contribute majority of feed stuffs offered to the animal. Important seasonally available plant species, predominant in the region includes Bidens pilosa L., Borreria hispida L.K. Schumann, Colocasia esculenta L. Schott, Ficus hispida L.f., Manihot esculenta Crantz, Musa paradisiaca L., Osbeckia sp., Saurauia nepaulensis D.C., Spilanthes acmella L. Murray and Vernonia anthelmintica L. Willd are fed with paddy husk to the pigs. Significant (P < 0.05) variations in the proximate composition were recorded in different nonconventional feed resources. Among the several plant species, the highest and lowest DM content was recorded in Osbeckia sp. and C. esculenta, respectively and CP content was highest in S. acmella and lowest in M. esculenta. Average daily weight gain was 104.18 g during the study period. The feed conversion efficiency was highest in August and lowest in February. Net annual monetary return was 9471 (input: output ratio 1:2.518) per pig. It was concluded that feeding of NCFR is economical for sustainable pig husbandry. However, detail metabolic study with each NCFR component is indicated for their incorporation in commercial feed in future.