Domestic Pig Germplasms of Andaman and Nicobar Islands

*Perumal Ponraj, Arun Kumar De and Debasis Bhattacharya*

### **Abstract**

Andaman and Nicobar Islands are endowed with immaculate flora and fauna biodiversity. Among the indigenous livestock species, pig occupies 27.26%. Andaman and Nicobar Islands have three different categories of domestic pig groups/breeds. Andaman Local pig is prevalent in Andaman group of Islands (South, Middle and North Andaman); Nicobari pig is in Nicobar group of Islands and long snouted Little Andaman wild pig (Schedule II animal under Forest Act, India). Other than the indigenous pigs, pure and crossbreds of Large White Yorkshire are available in Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Nicobari Pigs are reared exclusively by Nicobari tribes in Nicobar group of islands and create a well defined socio-economic-ecological status of their tribal society. Nicobari pig occupies a prominent place in custom, festivals and socio-economic status of Nicobari tribes. These Andaman local and Nicobari pigs are reared for meat purpose under free range or semi-intensive system. Nicobari pig is appeared as short, black/brownish in colour and living as a family. Andaman local pig is available in Andaman group of islands and body colour differs from rusty grey to black and brown. Neck and dorsal portion hair are long and thick whereas flank and sides hairs are shorter and thinner. Wild pig of Andaman (*Sus scrofa andamanensis*) is a most endangered porcine species of Andaman and Nicobar islands. Jarawa tribes in Andaman Islands prefer this wild pig as a good protein source. It is black in colour, short legged, small to medium sized and a prolific breeder. Litter size varies from 4 to 7 numbers. Another pig group is crossbred, cross between Large White Yorkshire and Andaman local or Nicobari pig. Crossbred pigs are light brown to complete white with different lines of blackish colour. This breed exhibits early maturity, high growth rate and fecundity. The Nicobari pig has high prolificacy as litter size is ranging from 8 to 10 numbers with good mothering ability and body weight of matured pig differs from 115 to 130 kg. Moreover, this crossbred is adapted highly to the local tropical humid environmental conditions and also can adjust with locally available feed resources on the different agricultural produces. This is highly suitable for commercial production of pork in this Andaman and Nicobar islands. However, the domestic pig breeds need to be protected and be conserved in this Andaman and Nicobar group of Islands.

**Keywords:** Andaman and Nicobar Islands, indigenous pigs, physico-morphological characters, haematological profiles, management, reproductive and productive profiles

#### **1. Introduction**

Andaman and Nicobar islands are one of the diversified unique ecosystems in the world. Being away from the main land and less population pressure, the area is still maintaining almost pollution free virgin environment, harbouring pure and rich germplasm resources. It is situated in the southern part of the Bay of Bengal between 92<sup>o</sup> 12<sup>0</sup> E and 93o 57<sup>0</sup> E longitude and between 6<sup>o</sup> 45<sup>0</sup> N and 13<sup>o</sup> 41<sup>0</sup> N latitude with 10<sup>o</sup> N channel dividing the Nicobar group of islands from Andaman group of Islands. Andaman and Nicobar is a group of 576 islands, islets and rocks covering a geographical area of 8293 km<sup>2</sup> and a population of 3.80 lakhs. Andaman and Nicobar islands share the same broad agro-ecological region as South East Asian countries. Majority of the 188 named islands are small in size. Thirty-six of these are inhabited. Only four islands namely North, Middle and South Andaman in the Andaman group and Great Nicobar in the southern group have an area greater than 1000 km<sup>2</sup> . Little Andaman with an area of 731 km<sup>2</sup> is the next largest island. Among the rest, 32 islands exceed 10 km<sup>2</sup> while 96 are less than 1 km<sup>2</sup> in area. Of the inhabited islands, 12 have population exceeding 1000 persons. Andaman and Nicobar islands have the annual rainfall of average is 3070 mm covering the month from May to December. The period between January and April is the driest when the number of rainy days in each month hardly exceeds three. During these periods, agricultural crops often suffer severely. The mean temperature (24.3-30.5°C), relative humidity (82.5%) and wind speed (5.8 km/h) almost remains same throughout the year. The seasons were classified into rainy/wet (May to November) and dry/ summer (December to April) in Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Average sun light hours per day differed significantly between rainy (4.28 � 0.89) and dry summer (9.20 � 0.74) seasons. From the month of December to April in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the sun shines regularly, whereas the sky is often become cloudy from June to September. Average relative humidity (%) was differed significantly between rainy (84.21 � 1.93) and dry summer (75.80 � 2.06) seasons. Average temperature (°C) was differed significantly between rainy (29.71 � 0.62) and dry summer (31.42 � 0.80) seasons. Average rainfall (mm) was differed significantly between rainy (444.92 � 13.62) and dry summer (89.04 � 8.84) seasons. Average solar direct irradiance (kWh/m<sup>2</sup> /day) was differed significantly between rainy (3.47 � 0.95) and dry summer (6.24 � 0.56) seasons. Average temperature humidity index (THI) was differed significantly between rainy (84.92 � 1.59) and dry summer (85.59 � 1.15) seasons. Average sea surface temperature (°C) was differed between rainy (27.97 � 0.87) and dry summer (29.94 � 1.30) seasons.

Livestock farming is considered to be a profitable enterprise in agriculture and constitutes an important activity for income enhancement. As per livestock census of 2012, the cattle, buffalo, goat, pig and poultry population including duck in the island is 45625, 7863, 65324, 35921 and 1165223, respectively. Livestock census, India revealed that the pig population was reduced (25.79%) significantly from 18th (2007: 48406 [1]) to 19th (2012: 35921 [2]) and then increased (5.98%) from 19th to 20th (2017: 40488[3]) livestock census, Government of India (**Tables 1** and **2**). Similarly, Tsunami, 2004 has significantly affected the Nicobari pig population in Nicobar group of Islands. There are four different genetic groups of pigs in the Islands, namely, Andaman local pig (ALP), long snouted Little Andaman wild pig (Schedule II animal under Forest Act, 1972, Govt. of India), Nicobari pig and pure and cross breeds of Large White Yorkshire (**Table 3**). Andaman and Nicobar group of Islands are endowed with immaculate flora and fauna biodiversity [5]. The indigenous livestock germplasm namely Nicobari, Andaman local and Andaman wild pigs, Teressa and Andaman local goats and Nicobari fowl are predominant in Andaman and Nicobar group of islands. Among the indigenous livestock, pig occupies 27.26% of the total livestock in Andaman and Nicobar Islands [6]. However, the Nicobari indigenous pig is under severe threat to endanger from the island, therefore immediate conservation effort is to be taken and its very much necessary [7]. Till 2012, this Nicobari breed received very little attention and no

systematic documentation was made. This Nicobari pigs were considered as a recognised and distinguished pig breed of Indian Government (INDIA PIG-3300- NICOBARI09005 by NBAGR, Karnal). Genetic diversity was very high as compared to European breeds [7]. Nicobari pig breed is adapted well physiologically and anatomically and has high tolerable capacity to different humid tropical deleterious environmental conditions. Nicobari pigs are natural scavengers and size is from medium to large with low reproductive and growth performance. Nicobari pig breed is highly preferred among the tribals, it is a good source of protein supple-

**District Category Male Female Grand**

Nicobar Indigenous 4381 3928 8309 4442 3644 8086 16395

**Tehsil wise Exotic/Crossbred Indigenous Total**

Diglipur 851 713 1564 1682 1823 3505 5069 Mayabunder 571 420 991 625 558 1183 2174 Rangat 553 591 1124 930 765 1695 2819 **Middle and North Andaman Dist 1955 1724 3679 3237 3146 6383 10062** Ferrargunj 98 109 207 11 29 40 247 Port Blair (Rural) 134 200 334 9 15 24 358 Port Blair (Urban) 117 100 217 27 50 77 294 Little Andaman 0 0 0 890 1286 2176 2176 **South Andaman Dist 349 409 758 937 1380 2317 3075** Car Nicobar 1 0 1 6369 6240 12609 12610 Nancowry 3056 2719 5775 1583 1528 3111 8886 Campbell Bay 312 298 610 358 320 678 1288 Nicobar Dist 3369 3017 6386 8310 8088 16398 22784 **State total 5673 5150 10823 12848 12614 25098 35921**

**>6 Months Total <**

Indigenous 1725 1513 3238 1604 1544 3148 6386

Indigenous 528 409 937 704 676 1380 2317

**6 Months**

*Domestic Pig Germplasms of Andaman and Nicobar Islands*

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.95916*

*District-wise livestock census (19th) of pigs in Andaman and Nicobar Islands.*

Exotic/ crossbred

Exotic/ crossbred

Exotic/ crossbred

North & Middle Andaman

South Andaman

**Table 1.**

**Table 2.**

**207**

**total <sup>&</sup>lt;**

**>6 Months Total**

**6 Months**

1892 1477 3369 1579 1438 3017 6386

1004 951 1955 854 870 1724 3679

134 215 349 167 242 409 758

**Male Female Total Male Female Total**

The ALP is associated with the socio-culture-economic-tradition of tribals. Andaman local pig is in general as semi-feral in behaviour and is mostly reared in

ment to them and also it helps to improve their family income.

*Tehsil-wise livestock census (19th) of pigs in Andaman and Nicobar Islands.*


#### **Table 1.**

still maintaining almost pollution free virgin environment, harbouring pure and rich germplasm resources. It is situated in the southern part of the Bay of Bengal

the rest, 32 islands exceed 10 km<sup>2</sup> while 96 are less than 1 km<sup>2</sup> in area. Of the inhabited islands, 12 have population exceeding 1000 persons. Andaman and Nicobar islands have the annual rainfall of average is 3070 mm covering the month from May to December. The period between January and April is the driest when the number of rainy days in each month hardly exceeds three. During these periods, agricultural crops often suffer severely. The mean temperature (24.3-30.5°C), relative humidity (82.5%) and wind speed (5.8 km/h) almost remains same throughout the year. The seasons were classified into rainy/wet (May to November) and dry/ summer (December to April) in Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Average sun light hours per day differed significantly between rainy (4.28 � 0.89) and dry summer (9.20 � 0.74) seasons. From the month of December to April in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the sun shines regularly, whereas the sky is often become cloudy from June to September. Average relative humidity (%) was differed significantly between rainy (84.21 � 1.93) and dry summer (75.80 � 2.06) seasons. Average temperature (°C) was differed significantly between rainy (29.71 � 0.62) and dry summer (31.42 � 0.80) seasons. Average rainfall (mm) was differed significantly between rainy (444.92 � 13.62) and dry summer (89.04 � 8.84) seasons. Average

(3.47 � 0.95) and dry summer (6.24 � 0.56) seasons. Average temperature humidity index (THI) was differed significantly between rainy (84.92 � 1.59) and dry summer (85.59 � 1.15) seasons. Average sea surface temperature (°C) was differed

Livestock farming is considered to be a profitable enterprise in agriculture and constitutes an important activity for income enhancement. As per livestock census of 2012, the cattle, buffalo, goat, pig and poultry population including duck in the island is 45625, 7863, 65324, 35921 and 1165223, respectively. Livestock census, India revealed that the pig population was reduced (25.79%) significantly from 18th (2007: 48406 [1]) to 19th (2012: 35921 [2]) and then increased (5.98%) from 19th to 20th (2017: 40488[3]) livestock census, Government of India (**Tables 1** and **2**). Similarly, Tsunami, 2004 has significantly affected the Nicobari pig population in Nicobar group of Islands. There are four different genetic groups of pigs in the Islands, namely, Andaman local pig (ALP), long snouted Little Andaman wild pig (Schedule II animal under Forest Act, 1972, Govt. of India), Nicobari pig and pure and cross breeds of Large White Yorkshire (**Table 3**). Andaman and Nicobar group of Islands are endowed with immaculate flora and fauna biodiversity [5]. The indigenous livestock germplasm namely Nicobari, Andaman local and Andaman wild pigs, Teressa and Andaman local goats and Nicobari fowl are predominant in Andaman and Nicobar group of islands. Among the indigenous livestock, pig occupies 27.26% of the total livestock in Andaman and Nicobar Islands [6]. However, the Nicobari indigenous pig is under severe threat to endanger from the island, therefore immediate conservation effort is to be taken and its very much necessary [7]. Till 2012, this Nicobari breed received very little attention and no

between rainy (27.97 � 0.87) and dry summer (29.94 � 1.30) seasons.

57<sup>0</sup> E longitude and between 6<sup>o</sup> 45<sup>0</sup>

N channel dividing the Nicobar group of islands from Andaman group of Islands. Andaman and Nicobar is a group of 576 islands, islets and rocks covering a geographical area of 8293 km<sup>2</sup> and a population of 3.80 lakhs. Andaman and Nicobar islands share the same broad agro-ecological region as South East Asian countries. Majority of the 188 named islands are small in size. Thirty-six of these are inhabited. Only four islands namely North, Middle and South Andaman in the Andaman group and Great Nicobar in the southern group have an area greater than

. Little Andaman with an area of 731 km<sup>2</sup> is the next largest island. Among

/day) was differed significantly between rainy

N and 13<sup>o</sup> 41<sup>0</sup>

N latitude

between 92<sup>o</sup>

with 10<sup>o</sup>

1000 km<sup>2</sup>

**206**

12<sup>0</sup> E and 93o

*Landraces - Traditional Variety and Natural Breed*

solar direct irradiance (kWh/m<sup>2</sup>

*District-wise livestock census (19th) of pigs in Andaman and Nicobar Islands.*


#### **Table 2.**

*Tehsil-wise livestock census (19th) of pigs in Andaman and Nicobar Islands.*

systematic documentation was made. This Nicobari pigs were considered as a recognised and distinguished pig breed of Indian Government (INDIA PIG-3300- NICOBARI09005 by NBAGR, Karnal). Genetic diversity was very high as compared to European breeds [7]. Nicobari pig breed is adapted well physiologically and anatomically and has high tolerable capacity to different humid tropical deleterious environmental conditions. Nicobari pigs are natural scavengers and size is from medium to large with low reproductive and growth performance. Nicobari pig breed is highly preferred among the tribals, it is a good source of protein supplement to them and also it helps to improve their family income.

The ALP is associated with the socio-culture-economic-tradition of tribals. Andaman local pig is in general as semi-feral in behaviour and is mostly reared in


Andaman wild pig and crossbred pigs, which are available in Andaman and Nicobar

*Domestic Pig Germplasms of Andaman and Nicobar Islands*

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.95916*

Nicobari pig (*Sus scrofa nicobaricus*), locally known as Ha-un and is reared by Nicobari tribes in Nicobar group of Islands. Majority of the pigs in the Nicobar group of islands are Nicobari pigs. The total area of Nicobar group of islands is 1841 square km which lies between 6° and 10° North latitude and it comprises of 19 islands, of which, important islands are Car Nicobar, Chowra, Teressa, Nancowrie, Little Nicobar and Great Nicobar. A small population of Nicobari pig are reared by Nicobari tribes on Little Andaman (Nicobari settlement area at Harminder Bay) Island [10–12]. The registered unique Nicobari indigenous pig is considered as a sign of integrity and wellbeing of the Nicobari tribes in this Andaman and Nicobar island territories. Nicobari pig is considered as an endemic in the island region; however, this pig is still in the domestication process as witnessed by phenotypic expression and are generally believed as it has originated from Eurasian wild boar (*Sus scrofa*) and also believed that *Nicobaricus* as a Nicobar regional specific subspecies and are called generally as "Nicobari Pig" [11]. These pigs are available since immemorial time with primitive tribes of these Andaman and Nicobar islands. Nicobari means 'eating pork'. Pig growing is very common, preferred and custom within the Nicobari tribes and which provides as an essential source of animal rich protein [13]. Nicobari Pigs are reared exclusively by Nicobari tribes in Nicobar group of islands and create a well defined socio-economic-ecological status of their tribal society. Pig rearing has always been an integral part of the rich cultural traditions of the Nicobarese Tribes [14]. Pigs are treated as an asset and bring prestige to the joint family of Nicobarese. In Nicobari society, religion, custom, festivals and social status, the pig occupies a prominent place. Of which, pigs constitute the major portion of their economy. The economic prosperity of a family, village and its position in the island is judged by the number of pigs as they have in a village or lineage. As such *Nicobarese* maintain a large number of pigs that are freely roaming in their settlement as well as in mature coconut plantation. Nicobari pigs have well adapted to the tropical humid island ecosystem in physiological and anatomical over the long period of the times and express their potential very well under the integrated farming (plantation based) production system in Andaman and Nicobar Islands [12]. In overview, the male Nicobari pig is very much temperament (nervousness) than his counterpart of female pigs and to catch the male pigs at least ten people are needed. However, the Nicobari sows are very calm and could be managed easily with the Nicobari tribal women. Ill-treatment or misbehaviour of the same is treated as serious offence. In case, any Nicobari or outsider hit or beat the pig, then their tribal village Council deals the matter sternly and the same treatment was given to the person concerned and impose handsome amount of fine

Islands.

**2. Nicobari pig**

to prevent repeat of the act [15].

**2.1 Phenotypic characterisation**

**209**

Nicobari pig is a registered descriptive domesticated pig breed of India (INDIA\_PIG\_3300\_NICOBARI\_09005). Molecular characterisation with use of microsatellite markers on local pig breeds revealed that the Nicobari pig has mean observed heterozygosity of 0.70 0.09 and Andaman local pig has 0.72 0.07 and both were has significantly higher mean observed heterozygosity than in the Large White Yorkshire as 0.56 0.07, the present study result indicated that Andaman

#### **Table 3.**

*Status of pigs in Andaman and Nicobar Islands [4].*

extensive or free-range system with little amount of management. Mitogenome analysis revealed that this ALP can be evolved as an independent breed in Andaman and Nicobar Islands as merit for registration as a recognised pig breed [8]. This pig group is under the condition of endanger and immediate preservation, conservation and propagation effort is very much needed to save the local breed of pig from extinction [7]. Pig production system is highly economical due to high production potential, fast growth rate, short generation interval, prolific fecundity, highly efficient carcass yield and higher adaptability to the different micro and macro environmental as well as the climatological conditions [9]. ALP is very well adapted and tolerable to the different tropical humid harsh environmental conditions with higher relative humidity, higher temperature as well as higher temperature humidity index. Further, these local indigenous Andaman local pigs are scavengers and also semi-wild in their behaviour or character. Andaman local pigs have very good maternal ability and are aggressive when farrowing or delivery. Although the ALPs have lower in their growth rate and reproductive and productive performances, it is highly liked by the rural tribal communities for supplementation of sufficient protein and income for the family. Pork production is essential especially in the Nicobar Islands than in the other part of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. People of Nicobar group of Islands consume 70% of the pork produced in Andaman and Nicobar Islands while the rest of the islanders consume 30% of pork [2]. Wild pig of Andaman (*Sus scrofa andamanensis*) is a threatened endangered porcine germplasm of Andaman and Nicobar islands. Jarawa tribes prefer this wild pig as a protein source. It is black in colour, short legged, small to medium sized and a prolific breeder. Another pig group is crossbred, cross between Large White Yorkshire and Andaman local or Nicobari pig. This Nicobari breed exhibits early maturity, high growth rate and fecundity than other pig breeds. The Nicobari pig has high prolificacy as litter size is ranging from 8 to 10 numbers with good mothering ability and body weight of matured pig differs from 115 to 130 kg. This is highly suitable for commercial production of pork in this Andaman and Nicobar islands. However, the domestic pig breeds need to be protected in this Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Reorganisation and rearrangement of these pig breeds is significant for its conservation, preservation and propagation. Efforts have to be made to conserve this breed outside its breeding tract with different managemental condition. The chapter describes the different aspects of pigs namely, Nicobar pig, Andaman local pig,

Andaman wild pig and crossbred pigs, which are available in Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
