Mega seed project was launched on 14^th August, 2008 at National Research Center on Pig, Guwahati. by. Honorable Dr. K.M. Bujarbaruah, DDG (AS), ICAR.

The project was prepared with the concept of establishing one nucleus germplasm production centre linking it with satellite centres at village level to ensure a horizontal spread of quality pigs within and outside the targeted village.

1. Brief history:

Rapid urbanization and increased population pressure has resulted in increased demand for quality pork production. The major constraints like non-availability of superior quality seed stock, low-cost feed ingredient, imbalanced ration at reasonable price, unscientific management or inadequate knowledge, lack of financial support as well as marketing channel etc. are hampering the growth and development of piggery sector. But a sizeable number of unemployed educated youth have taken up this venture as means of their livelihood/occupation or as subsidiary income generation. This has opened up a possibility of development of piggery sector of the country.

The mega-seed project on pig was launched by ICAR in 2008. National Research Centre on Pig is coordinating the Mega-seed Project on Pig. The project is having four centers as follows:

• Assam Agricultural University, Khanapara
• Birsa Agricultural University, Ranchi
• ICAR RC for NEH, Nagaland Centre, Medziphema
• State Veterinary Department, Aizawl, Mizoram

The project was launched with an objective to produce and supply quality swine germplasm to the local farmers.
In XIIh five year plan another four centers were approved for Mega Seed Project on Pig as follows:
• State Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department, Govt. of Arunachal Pradesh
• Kerala Veterinary and Animal Science University, Pookode, Kerala
• Animal Resource Development Department, Govt. of Tripura, Agartala, Tripura
• Chhattisgarh Kamdhenu Vishwavidyalaya, Durg, Chhattisgarh

3. Target Fixed:

• Production of upgraded variety of quality piglets and increased farm income through technology lead growth

4. Activity assigned and target fixed General:

1. Impact assessment along with economics of production at farmers' field needs to be carried out by the individual centers.
2. Number of farm families/ beneficiaries should be included in the report.
3. Artificial insemination should be used at all the centers.

5. Technical programme:

1. All the centers should maintain sufficient number of breeding stock of specific crossbred germplasm as indicated in centre wise recommendation as to produce targeted number of piglet production.
2. Maximum number of farm families need to be targeted for distribution of piglets.

6. Salient Achievements of the Mega-seed till Date:

Under this project improved variety of piglets were produced and distributed to the farmers. A total of 1388, 2268, 2877, 2851 and 3664 nos of improved variety of piglets were produced for distribution in 2010-11, 2011-12 2012-13, 2013-14 and 2014-15, respectively.