Government announces new standards for semen production for artificial insemination in pigs

Union Minister for Animal Husbandry, Fisheries, and Dairying, Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh, has released a booklet titled 'Minimum Standard Protocol and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for Semen Production for Artificial Insemination using Liquid Semen in Pigs'. This significant initiative was undertaken on 2 November 2026 during his two-day visit to Sikkim.

According to a report from PIB Delhi, the primary objective of these new guidelines is to scientifically promote pig reproduction, simplify the process of genetic improvement, and enhance livelihood opportunities, particularly for pig farmers in the North-Eastern Region (NER). This protocol provides a comprehensive framework for the scientific production of pig semen, quality assurance, biosecurity, semen preservation, transportation, and artificial insemination methods.

The document establishes standardized procedures for providing efficient artificial insemination services across all states in the country and for the establishment and operation of pig semen production laboratories. This initiative emphasises increasing pork production and improving the economic condition of small-scale livestock rearers.

As per the figures from the 20th Livestock Census (2019), the total pig population in the country is 9.06 million, accounting for 1.7 per cent of the country's total livestock. Pig rearing is practiced in all agro-climatic zones, but North-East India is a major hub for pig rearing, accounting for approximately 45 per cent of the national pig population. Indigenous and non-descript pigs constitute about 79 per cent of the country's total pig stock, presenting a significant opportunity for genetic improvement through scientific breeding methods.

The PDF version of these new guidelines is available on the official website of the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD), Government of India, at https://www.dahd.gov.in/.

The animal husbandry sector in India has long been an important part of the rural economy. The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying works to provide various technological protocols and services to improve the genetics of animals and increase farmers' income.