The Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying released a publication titled "Minimum Standard Protocol for Semen Production and Standard Operating Procedures for Artificial Insemination using Liquid Semen in Pigs" on November 2, 2026. Union Minister Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh launched the protocol during his visit to Sikkim, with the initiative aimed at promoting scientific pig breeding, facilitating genetic improvement, and enhancing livelihood opportunities for pig farmers, particularly in the North-Eastern Region.
The protocol provides a comprehensive framework for scientific semen production, quality assurance, biosecurity, semen preservation, transportation, and artificial insemination practices in pigs. It establishes standardized procedures for operating pig semen production laboratories and delivering efficient artificial insemination services across Indian states.
According to the 20th Livestock Census (2019), India has a pig population of 9.06 million, accounting for 1.7% of the country's total livestock population. The North-Eastern Region contributes nearly 45% of the national pig population, making it the heartland of pig farming in India. Indigenous and non-descript pigs constitute about 79% of the total pig population, indicating significant scope for genetic improvement through scientific breeding interventions.
The protocol serves as a practical guide for states, veterinarians, breeding centers, and farmers to facilitate wider adoption of artificial insemination and modern breeding practices. It covers the entire pig artificial insemination value chain including breeding boar selection, semen collection, evaluation, processing, storage, transportation, laboratory quality management, and disease prevention measures.
Expected outcomes include improved reproductive efficiency, accelerated genetic improvement, conservation and upgrading of indigenous pig germplasm prevalent in the North-East, enhanced availability of superior breeding material, and improved productivity and profitability of pig farming enterprises. The initiative is projected to contribute significantly to increased pork production, livelihood generation, and sustainable growth of the pig sector in the region.
The publication is available in PDF format on the official website of the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD) at https://www.dahd.gov.in/.