Piggery Project
Piggery Project
Piggery Project
Manipur is largely a hilly state, consisting of five hill districts and four valley
districts. The hill area is 90 per cent of the total area of 21,000 sq. kms. Moreover, the
area is home to a large tribal population. There are 29 recognised Scheduled Tribes,
broadly divided into the Naga and Chin-Kuki-Mizo groups. The Scheduled Tribes
constitute over a third of the population. Each tribe has distinct social habits and
customs.
There has been some interaction between tribal society and the outside world
from the British period onwards. Unlike the traditional agricultural economy, which
has evolved with the passage of time, the tribal economy of Manipur still combines
hunting and gathering with agriculture. The economy of Manipur as a whole is largely
underdeveloped and agrarian with a weak/non-existent industrial sector and an
inflated Govt. sector. Manipur has a huge developmental and fiscal deficit. The share
of the state in the All India Net Domestic Product remained stagnant at 0.2 %almost
throughout the period 1991-92 to 2001-02. This is unlikely to change in the near
future.
The hills and highlands of Manipur are famed for its biodiversity, lush
vegetation and its indigenous tribal peoples. The area has an enormous potential for
tourism, horticulture, floriculture, animal husbandry, food processing. Yet they
continue to live in extreme poverty – isolated from markets and other services. The
resources they depend on are becoming increasingly degraded in a volatile
environment overshadowed by insurgent activities.
The National Highway 39 passes through the town, connecting it to the rest of
the State and Country. There are no rail or air links available. Kangpokpi is a sub-
divisional headquarter of the Sadar Hills (West) Block under Senapati district. Block
level offices of various Govt. departments are located here, including an Autonomous
Hill Council.
Starting with 36 children and 4 teachers in 2002, the School now has 250
students enrolled and employs 16 teachers.
The School provides them with books and uniforms. However, with its limited
resources, it cannot support these children completely. The guardians of the children
are under constant pressure to find ways and means of livelihood.
There are many families struggling to educate their children. There are many
educated unemployed Youth struggling to find employment. This struggle becomes
more pronounced in a small town like Kangpokpi.
Among the various livestock species, piggery is most potential source of meat
production and more efficient feed converters after the broiler chicken. Apart from
providing meat, it is also a source of bristles and manure. Pig farming will provide
employment opportunities local youth, and generate funds for the School. The
advantages of pig farming are:
1. The pig has got highest feed conversion efficiency i.e. they produce more live
weight gain from a given weight of feed than any other class of meat producing
animals except broilers.
2. The pig can utilize wide variety of feed stuffs viz. grains, forages, leftovers, etc.
3. They are prolific with shorter generation interval. A sow can be bred as early as 8-9
months of age and can farrow twice in a year. They produce 6-12 piglets in each
farrowing.
Infrastructure Needed: The campus of the Lighthouse school has adequate land
available within it to start the project. Immediate starting requirements for 10 animals
(7 pigs, 3 sows) are:
1. A Shed of size 6 feet x 25 feet with cement floor and bamboo / wooden
walls, a roof with C.I. sheets to house the animals.
2. Fenced Open enclosure of size 40 feet x 30 feet for the animals to move
around and bask in sunlight during the day.
Feeding Materials Needed: For the feed it depends on what is available, and the
prices. The higher the protein, the more expensive is the feed. In general, rice and rice
husk are the most expensive ingredients. Most commonly used feed is low quality
rice, rice husk, banana stem, leftover food, vegetables.
Estimated Time: Pigs with good genetics, good management and care, and good feed
will reach 40 - 50 Kg in 6 months, and 80 - 100 Kg in 12 months.
Based on above costs, and current price of pigs, it is estimated that the Project
will generate Rs. 60,000 to Rs. 70,000 per year for the Lighthouse School in the first
year.
For the subsequent years, recurring expenditure will be for Feed and Labor
only. With proper care during delivery, the number of piglets for rearing will increase.
The price of Pork per Kg. and the Price per Maun is also expected to increase every
year.
Potential Challenges of Activity: Long waiting period (12 - 15 months) until first
revenue when just getting started.
Potential Benefits of Activity: Source of funding for the School, Employment for
local youth.