Comparative evaluation of productive and reproductive performance of cross-bred Hampshire under traditional systems

Introduction

Pig farming plays an important role in the livelihood and nutritional sustenance among rural and tribal populations of the North-Eastern (NE) region of India, where pork is the most preferred source of animal protein (Mehta and Bhattacharjee, 2024) [12] . Pigs are particularly valued for their high feed conversion efficiency, early sexual maturity, prolific reproductive performance, and relatively shorter generation interval, making them well-suited for lowinput production systems. The NE region alone accounts for nearly 46.8% of the country's total pig population (Basic Animal Husbandry Statistics, 2019), reflecting both cultural acceptance and economic importance of piggery in the region. Despite this significant share of the population, the productivity of indigenous pigs remains low, primarily due to their slow growth rates and reproductive efficiency under traditional management systems (Kadirvel et al., 2021) [8] . Genetic improvement through the introduction of suitable cross-bred varieties has been widely promoted as a strategy to enhance productivity while retaining adaptability to local agro-climatic conditions. Among the improved genetic groups, HD-K75 (75% Hampshire × 25% Assam local) developed by College of Veterinary Science, AAU, Khanapara and Lumsniang (75% Hampshire × 25% Niang Megha) developed by ICAR-RC for NEH Region, Umiam, Meghalaya have gained prominence in the hill ecosystems of the NE region due to their enhanced growth performance, better feed utilization, and improved reproductive traits.

These crossbreds are also reported to possess adequate adaptability to low-input, traditional backyard systems, which predominate in states such as Arunachal Pradesh. However, systematic comparative evaluations of these cross-bred pigs with indigenous non-descript pigs under farmers' field conditions remain limited, particularly in eastern Arunachal Pradesh. A comparative assessment of productive and reproductive performance under uniform traditional management conditions is therefore essential to identify the most suitable genetic group for sustainable pig production in the region. Such evidence is critical for guiding breed selection strategies, improving farm profitability, and supporting policy interventions for piggery development. In view of the above, the present study was conducted as an On-Farm Trial (OFT) to evaluate and compare the productive and reproductive performances of HD-K75, Lumsniang, and Indigenous pigs under traditional rearing systems in Namsai district of Arunachal Pradesh.

Materials and Methods

Study area

The present study was conducted in Namsai district of Arunachal Pradesh, India, to evaluate the productive and reproductive performance of HD-K75 and Lumsniang crossbred pigs in comparison with indigenous pigs, which served as the control group. The district is located in the northeastern part of the country, lying between 95.45° to 96.20° E longitude and 27.30° to 27.55° N latitude, with a geographical area of approximately 1,587 km².

Animals

The study was carried out under farmers' field conditions. A total of 15 piglets i.e. 5 piglets each in each group (HD-K75, Lumsniang and indigenous pigs) were selected and reared under the existing management practices of the farmers. The average age of the selected piglets ranged from 45 to 60 days. All piglets were vaccinated against prevalent diseases, including Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) and Classical Swine Fever (CSF), following standard vaccination protocols. All piglets were maintained under similar feeding and management conditions. Prior to the commencement of the study, participating farmers were trained on scientific pig management practices and advised to maintain uniform feeding across all experimental animals. The animals were fed twice daily with locally available feed resources, including colocasia leaves, papaya fruits, banana stems, rice bran, rice polish, and kitchen waste. Housing structures were constructed using locally available materials, with cemented concrete flooring provided to ensure basic hygiene.

Parameters studied

The productive and reproductive performance parameters evaluated included age at first service, age at first farrowing, litter size at birth, birth weight, litter size at weaning, and weaning weight. Litter size was calculated as the total number of piglets born divided by the total number of sows farrowed. Body weights of piglets were recorded at birth and at weaning (56 days of age) using an electronic weighing balance.

Statistical analysis

The collected data were subjected to statistical analysis, and results were expressed as mean ± standard error. Percentage differences between groups were also calculated. The significance of differences between means was tested using the Student's t-test as described by Snedecor and Cochran (1989).

Results and Discussion

The productive and reproductive performance of crossbred Hampshire pigs (Lumsniang and HD-K75) and indigenous pigs of Arunachal Pradesh were evaluated under traditional rearing systems, and the results are presented in Table 1.

Reproductive traits

The age at first service (AFS) and age at first farrowing (AFF) were significantly (p < 0.05) lower in crossbred pigs compared to indigenous pigs. HD-K75 recorded the lowest AFS (273.50 ± 1.31 days) and AFF (395.30 ± 1.54 days), followed by Lumsniang (289.80 ± 0.94 and 412.11 ± 1.23 days, respectively), whereas indigenous pigs showed significantly higher values (340.50 ± 1.00 and 465.20 ± 0.98 days, respectively). The lower AFS and AFF observed in crossbred pigs indicate earlier attainment of sexual maturity and superior reproductive efficiency. These findings are consistent with Kumar et al. (2020) [11] , who reported lower age at maturity (259 ± 23 days) and age at first farrowing (373 ± 35 days) in crossbred pigs compared to indigenous pigs. Similar trends have also been reported by Gokuldas et al. (2015) [5] and Kaushik et al. (2019) [10] for AFS, and by Kadirvel et al. (2020) [9] and Bey et al. (2025) [3] for AFF in Hampshire-based crossbreds. However, Singh et al. (2020) [15] noted that these traits may vary depending on genotype and management conditions. Earlier AFS and AFF are economically advantageous traits, as they reduce generation interval and enhance lifetime productivity. The superior performance of HD-K75 and Lumsniang may be attributed to their improved genetic background, faster growth rate, and better adaptability to local agro-climatic conditions. In contrast, the delayed maturity observed in indigenous pigs could be due to slower growth, smaller body size, and suboptimal nutritional and management practices under traditional systems

Litter traits

The litter size at birth (LSB) and litter size at weaning (LSW) were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in crossbred pigs compared to indigenous pigs. HD-K75 recorded LSB and LSW of 9.33 ± 1.43 and 8.91 ± 1.20, respectively, while Lumsniang recorded 9.13 ± 1.01 and 8.93 ± 1.20. In contrast, indigenous pigs showed lower values (7.10 ± 0.99 and 6.24 ± 1.04, respectively). The higher litter size in crossbred pigs indicates better prolificacy and reproductive efficiency, along with improved maternal ability. Comparable findings were reported by Nath and Deka (2003) [13] , who observed a litter size at weaning of 8.40 ± 0.32 in Large Black pigs, which aligns with the present results. Rabha et al. (2026) [14] reported a litter size at weaning of 6.13 ± 0.35, which is comparable to the indigenous pigs in the present study. However, Kalita et al. (2018a) [6] reported lower litter sizes in Thaokhri pigs of Assam, possibly due to differences in genetic potential and management conditions. The relatively lower litter size in indigenous pigs may be attributed to smaller body size, lower ovulation rate, and inadequate nutrition under backyard systems. These findings are in agreement with Behl et al. (2020) [2] , who reported generally lower reproductive performance in indigenous pigs compared to crossbred and exotic pigs.

Growth traits

Birth weight and weaning weight differed significantly (p < 0.05) among the genetic groups. HD-K75 recorded the highest birth weight (1.12 ± 0.25 kg) and weaning weight (12.45 ± 1.11 kg), followed by Lumsniang (0.95 ± 0.19 kg and 10.24 ± 1.04 kg), while indigenous pigs recorded the lowest values (0.75 ± 0.15 kg and 6.69 ± 1.02 kg). The superior growth performance of crossbred pigs reflects better prenatal development, higher genetic potential, and improved maternal traits. These results are consistent with Kumar et al. (2020) [11] , who reported better growth performance in crossbred piglets under similar farming conditions in Namsai district. Behl et al. (2020) [2] reported that the birth weight of indigenous pigs in India typically ranges from 0.44 to 0.83 kg, and the present findings for indigenous pigs fall within this range, whereas crossbred pigs exceed it. Das et al. (2023) [4] reported a weaning weight of 9.845 ± 0.009 kg, and Bayan et al. (2024) [1] reported 9.666 ± 0.013 kg for HD-K75 pigs under Assam conditions, both of which are slightly lower than the present findings. The higher weaning weights observed in this study may be attributed to better litter management, improved maternal milk production, and relatively favourable feeding conditions. These findings are further supported by Kalita et al. (2018b) [7] , who emphasised that scientific weaning practices and improved nutritional management significantly enhance piglet growth and farm profitability.

Conclusion

The present On-Farm Trial demonstrated that Hampshire crossbred pigs, particularly HD-K75, exhibited significantly superior productive and reproductive performance compared to indigenous pigs under traditional rearing systems in Arunachal Pradesh. Crossbred pigs attained earlier sexual maturity, recorded higher litter size at birth and weaning, and achieved better growth performance in terms of birth and weaning weight. Among the evaluated genetic groups, HD-K75 showed the best overall performance, indicating its suitability for low-input backyard production systems prevalent in the region. The adoption of improved Hampshire crossbreds can therefore play an important role in enhancing pig productivity, improving farmers' income, and strengthening livelihood and nutritional security among rural and tribal communities of Arunachal Pradesh and the North-Eastern region of India.

Acknowledgement

AcknowledgementsThe authors are grateful to the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) for providing the financial support necessary for the execution of this research work. The authors also sincerely acknowledge the Director, ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Umiam, Meghalaya, for providing the facilities and institutional support required for the successful completion of this study under the On-Farm Testing (OFT) project entitled "Productive and Reproductive Performance of Crossbred Pigs."

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