Shillong, May 08: The Meghalaya Animal Husbandry Department in collaboration with Mercy for Animals India organised a specialised technical session on feeding practices and animal welfare at the Vocational Training Centre in Upper Shillong to improve the welfare of pigs by integrating scientific precision with ethical animal care.
The meeting was attended by Chief Guest Dr. (Ms)V.Hynniewta, Registrar Meghalaya State Veterinary Council, Dr. (Mrs) L.M.Umlong, Deputy Director (AHP), Dr. R.Thomas, Principal Scientist, ICAR- NRCP, Rani, Guwahati a, Dr. D.T.Sun, Assistant Director (Piggery Development) and Niharika Kapoor, Organising Specialist, Mercy For Animals.
The core objective of the training is to equip veterinarians with advanced knowledge and practical skills in scientific pig feeding. The training is based on the recommended management practices outlined by ICAR institutions, particularly the ICAR (National Research Centre on Pig).
The training highlighted on welfare issues such as feeding untreated and unregulated food waste (swill), promotion of feeding practices, strengthening awareness on biosecurity measures, especially in the context of diseases such as African Swine Fever (ASF) and Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) and integration of animal welfare considerations into pig farming practices among other things.
A primary focus of the program is the promotion of balanced, hygienic, and regulated feeding systems in line with the ICAR recommended package of practices.
The curriculum includes a strong emphasis on the prohibition of feeding untreated and unregulated food waste to ensure livestock health and safety.
“Integrating animal welfare into pig farming is fundamentally about ensuring that pigs live healthy, comfortable, and stress-free lives. It is essential that humane feeding and management practices are consistently applied, so that every animal’s physical and behavioral needs are respected and met” said Ms. Niharika Kapoor, Government Affairs Specialist at Mercy for Animals India Foundation.
“Strengthening awareness and adoption of these practices at the grassroots level is key to creating farming systems that prioritize the well-being of pigs at every stage of their lives.” adds Ms. Kapoor.
By transitioning towards sustainable practices that balance economic viability with animal well-being, the workshop aimed to empower farmers and livestock officers who are primarily responsible for ensuring animal welfare.
