23-29 August, Sarpang: The Big Ticket Initiatives (BTI) was launched in August 2020 with following objectives: 1) to substitute the import of livestock products and to help increase food security in the country, 2) to engage youths & covid-19 laid off employees in livestock farming, and 3) to improve and revive the national economy.
Through the BTI project, many pig and poultry farms were established across the country. However, to manage and run their farms, the farm owners need to know the basic breeding and farm management practices. Therefore, with directives from the Department of Livestock (DoL), a weeklong (23rd to 29th August 2021) hands on training on improved pig breeding and management was given to 12 BTI clients (8 educated youths, 2 Laid-off employees & 2 Piggery CSI loan Beneficiaries) under Sarpang dzongkhag.
All participants have 10-20 sows breeding shed constructed through BTI funding. In addition, two livestock officials from the dzongkhag also attended the training, who can provide technical backstopping to those proponents later.
This training is expected to enhance the overall management skill of the trainees, the majority of whom are educated youth affected by the pandemic. At present, the three state-owned piggery farms are unable to meet the piglet demand for interested pig farmers in the country. With the coming up of this BTI project, the National Piggery Research and Development Centre (NPiRDC) under DoL expects to increase piglet production and its supply to fattening farms.
Import restriction on livestock products during this pandemic has increased the price for pork exponentially in the local markets. Once the BTI breeding farms become operational, it is expected to supplement piglet production and thereby meet the piglet demand in the country. The timely supply and fulfillment of piglet input demand for fattening farms can result in increased domestic pork production which subsequently can reduce the pork price in the market.
The training emphasized pig breeding and management with practical on the farm, and a field trip to several community pig breeding farms (CPBs) in the areas. On the last day of the training, a certificate for completion of the training was handed over to each participant by the Program Director, NPiRDC on behalf of Director, DoL. Following this training, the BTI beneficiaries will be monitored continually and provide technical assistance in the field as and when needed.
–NPiRDC, Gelephu, Department of Livestock
