Effect of artificial insemination in comparison to natural mating on the reproductive performance and profitability of smallholder pig production system in Indian Himalaya

In fragile ecosystems, smallholder pig production systems provide food and nutritional security to resource-poor communities. Pigs are the main livestock raised by indigenous communities in the Himalayan region of India, but their productivity is low for several reasons. The present study aimed to s...

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Main Authors: Mahak Singh, R. Talimoa Mollier, Nungshitula Pongener, R. N. Patton, Rekha Yadav, J. K. Chaudhary, Rahul Katiyar, Subhash Babu, D. J. Rajkhowa, V. K. Mishra
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2022-12-01
Series:Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fsufs.2022.1067878/full
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author Mahak Singh
R. Talimoa Mollier
Nungshitula Pongener
R. N. Patton
Rekha Yadav
J. K. Chaudhary
Rahul Katiyar
Subhash Babu
D. J. Rajkhowa
V. K. Mishra
author_facet Mahak Singh
R. Talimoa Mollier
Nungshitula Pongener
R. N. Patton
Rekha Yadav
J. K. Chaudhary
Rahul Katiyar
Subhash Babu
D. J. Rajkhowa
V. K. Mishra
author_sort Mahak Singh
collection DOAJ
description In fragile ecosystems, smallholder pig production systems provide food and nutritional security to resource-poor communities. Pigs are the main livestock raised by indigenous communities in the Himalayan region of India, but their productivity is low for several reasons. The present study aimed to study the pig herd size and to evaluate the impact of artificial insemination (AI) on profitability and sustainability in the small-holder pig production system. A total of 612 AIs were carried out in 483 sows in the farmer's field along with 114 sows that underwent natural breeding. A comparison was made between the reproductive performance of sows following AI and natural breeding. The profitability and economics of AI and natural breeding were also compared. The mean pig population varied from 4.75 to 6.42 in the study region. The farrowing rate, total born piglets (TBPs), and live born piglets (LBPs) were significantly higher (P < 0.001) in artificially inseminated sows compared to naturally bred sows (9.37 vs. 6.28; 8.93 vs. 5.45). Farrowing rate (P = 0.005), TBP, and LBP were significantly (P < 0.001) higher in sows inseminated by female inseminator as compared to male inseminator (81.26 vs. 71.42%; 9.65 vs. 8.80; 9.21 vs. 8.38). The insemination by uneducated farmers resulted in significantly (P = 0.002) lower farrowing rate, TBP (P < 0.001), LBP (P < 0.001), and AI per farrowing (P = 0.042). The farmers who did AI for the third time and more than three times recorded significantly (P < 0.001) higher farrowing rates, TBP, and LBP. The farrowing rate was significantly (P < 0.001) less in sows that were located more than 30 km away from the semen center (66.66 vs. 82.90%). The net return per sow was significantly higher (P < 0.001) in artificially inseminated sows (US$464.8 vs. US$248.11). AI resulted in an 87.33% increase in net returns per farrowing as compared to natural breeding. In conclusion, AI in smallholder pig production systems has the potential to sustainably improve the profitability as well as the food and nutritional security of resource-poor farmers.
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spelling doaj.art-b28f1995fdee49888994dad683ffa2f22022-12-22T02:57:14ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems2571-581X2022-12-01610.3389/fsufs.2022.10678781067878Effect of artificial insemination in comparison to natural mating on the reproductive performance and profitability of smallholder pig production system in Indian HimalayaMahak Singh0R. Talimoa Mollier1Nungshitula Pongener2R. N. Patton3Rekha Yadav4J. K. Chaudhary5Rahul Katiyar6Subhash Babu7D. J. Rajkhowa8V. K. Mishra9Theriogenology Laboratory, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) Research Complex for North East Hilly Region, Nagaland Centre, Medziphema, IndiaTheriogenology Laboratory, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) Research Complex for North East Hilly Region, Nagaland Centre, Medziphema, IndiaTheriogenology Laboratory, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) Research Complex for North East Hilly Region, Nagaland Centre, Medziphema, IndiaTheriogenology Laboratory, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) Research Complex for North East Hilly Region, Nagaland Centre, Medziphema, IndiaDepartment of Agronomy, School of Agricultural Sciences and Rural Development, Nagaland University, Medziphema, IndiaDepartment of Animal Genetics and Breeding, College of Veterinary Science, Central Agricultural University, Aizawl, IndiaIndian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) Research Complex for North East Hilly Region, Shillong, IndiaDepartment of Agronomy, Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, IndiaIndian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) Research Complex for North East Hilly Region, Shillong, IndiaIndian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) Research Complex for North East Hilly Region, Shillong, IndiaIn fragile ecosystems, smallholder pig production systems provide food and nutritional security to resource-poor communities. Pigs are the main livestock raised by indigenous communities in the Himalayan region of India, but their productivity is low for several reasons. The present study aimed to study the pig herd size and to evaluate the impact of artificial insemination (AI) on profitability and sustainability in the small-holder pig production system. A total of 612 AIs were carried out in 483 sows in the farmer's field along with 114 sows that underwent natural breeding. A comparison was made between the reproductive performance of sows following AI and natural breeding. The profitability and economics of AI and natural breeding were also compared. The mean pig population varied from 4.75 to 6.42 in the study region. The farrowing rate, total born piglets (TBPs), and live born piglets (LBPs) were significantly higher (P < 0.001) in artificially inseminated sows compared to naturally bred sows (9.37 vs. 6.28; 8.93 vs. 5.45). Farrowing rate (P = 0.005), TBP, and LBP were significantly (P < 0.001) higher in sows inseminated by female inseminator as compared to male inseminator (81.26 vs. 71.42%; 9.65 vs. 8.80; 9.21 vs. 8.38). The insemination by uneducated farmers resulted in significantly (P = 0.002) lower farrowing rate, TBP (P < 0.001), LBP (P < 0.001), and AI per farrowing (P = 0.042). The farmers who did AI for the third time and more than three times recorded significantly (P < 0.001) higher farrowing rates, TBP, and LBP. The farrowing rate was significantly (P < 0.001) less in sows that were located more than 30 km away from the semen center (66.66 vs. 82.90%). The net return per sow was significantly higher (P < 0.001) in artificially inseminated sows (US$464.8 vs. US$248.11). AI resulted in an 87.33% increase in net returns per farrowing as compared to natural breeding. In conclusion, AI in smallholder pig production systems has the potential to sustainably improve the profitability as well as the food and nutritional security of resource-poor farmers.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fsufs.2022.1067878/fullsustainabilitysmall-holder pig farmsartificial insemination (AI)economicsIndian Himalayan region
spellingShingle Mahak Singh
R. Talimoa Mollier
Nungshitula Pongener
R. N. Patton
Rekha Yadav
J. K. Chaudhary
Rahul Katiyar
Subhash Babu
D. J. Rajkhowa
V. K. Mishra
Effect of artificial insemination in comparison to natural mating on the reproductive performance and profitability of smallholder pig production system in Indian Himalaya
Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems
sustainability
small-holder pig farms
artificial insemination (AI)
economics
Indian Himalayan region
title Effect of artificial insemination in comparison to natural mating on the reproductive performance and profitability of smallholder pig production system in Indian Himalaya
title_full Effect of artificial insemination in comparison to natural mating on the reproductive performance and profitability of smallholder pig production system in Indian Himalaya
title_fullStr Effect of artificial insemination in comparison to natural mating on the reproductive performance and profitability of smallholder pig production system in Indian Himalaya
title_full_unstemmed Effect of artificial insemination in comparison to natural mating on the reproductive performance and profitability of smallholder pig production system in Indian Himalaya
title_short Effect of artificial insemination in comparison to natural mating on the reproductive performance and profitability of smallholder pig production system in Indian Himalaya
title_sort effect of artificial insemination in comparison to natural mating on the reproductive performance and profitability of smallholder pig production system in indian himalaya
topic sustainability
small-holder pig farms
artificial insemination (AI)
economics
Indian Himalayan region
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fsufs.2022.1067878/full
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