Improved crossbred pig variety released by ICAR

An improved crossbred pig variety namely ‘Goya’ pig developed by ICAR-Central Coastal Agricultural Research Institute, Goa under the All India Coordinated Research Project on Pig was released by Dr. Raghavendra Bhatta, Hon’ble Deputy Director General (Animal Science) in presence of Dr. G.K. Gaur, Asst. Director General (AP&B), Dr. V.K. Gupta, Director, ICAR-NRC on Pig, Guwahati and Dr. Parveen Kumar, Director, ICAR-CCARI, Goa. It is the first crossbred animal variety from Goa state and was released during the inaugural session of Annual Review Meeting of AICRP on pig held on 19^th September, 2024 at ICAR-CCARI, Goa.

This pig variety was developed by crossing Large White Yorkshire (75% inheritance) with indigenous Agonda Goan breed of Goa (25% inheritance). It is as a climate-resilient crossbred variety suitable for pork production with improved production performance and adaptability to coastal hot and humid climate. Variety was developed by the team of Scientists lead by Dr. E.B. Chakurkar, (Presently the Director of ICAR-Central Island Agricultural Research Institute, Port Blair) along with Dr. Amiya R Sahu, Dr. Gokuldas PP, Dr. Chethan Kumar H.B., Dr. Santanu Banik, Dr. N.H. Mohan, and Dr. V.K. Gupta (Director of ICAR-NRC on Pig, Guwahati). A monograph on Goya pig was also released during the occasion. Senior officials from ICAR Headquarters, Scientists from different ICAR Institutes and officials of Goa State Animal Husbandry Department, State Agricultural and Veterinary Universities participated in the event.