Assam to start 'pig schools', send farmers abroad

ASSAM’s Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) is anticipating an economic turnaround for Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) riding on the pig’s back. The autonomous BTC, which administers five districts falling under BTR, is sending 50 farmers, who have traditional knowledge in animal husbandry, to Denmark so they can learn everything about pigs. By collaborating with the Scandinavian country, it is also starting some “pig schools”.

- PRASANTA MAZUMDAR

BTC chief Pramod Bodo struck on the idea of “pig as panacea” to bring about sustainable change in economy through this staple food of the Bodos and other tribals in the Northeast.

He said it is a matter of days that the BTC would sign a memorandum of understanding with Denmark. It will provide a technical know-how to the Bodo farmers on pig farming. A team from BTC visited Denmark and similarly, a Danish delegation visited BTR recently.

“Denmark supplies its pigs to countries all over the world and it has no competitor in pig farming,” the BTC chief said, adding the 50 farmers would become master trainers for 60,000 pig farmers in BTR.

“By tying up with Denmark, we are going to start some pig schools in BTR. The Danish course is of three years but our schools will start with a one-year course,” Bodo said.