Germplasm of Indonesia local pig: potential, threat of extinction, and conservation strategy

Abstract

One type of livestock that is widely cultivated by some people is pigs, especially local pigs. Pigs are popular animals and are widely cultivated for needs related to socio-culture, traditional ceremonies, religious ceremonies, weddings and other ceremonies by certain community people’s in Indonesia. Indonesia has germplasm of five local pig species from eight types of pig species in the world. The pigs species lives and develops in several main areas, namely in Sumatra, Kalimantan, East Nusa Tenggara, Sulawesi and Papua. Local pig species in Indonesia include Nias pig, Toba pig, Samosir pig, Bali pig, Toraja pig and Papua pig. Currently, local pigs are facing the threat of extinction, due to low productivity so that people tend to keep imported pigs with better productivity. In addition, the threat of epidemics, poaching and the absence of real preservation and conservation measures from the government have also contributed to the decline in the local pig population in Indonesia. Conservation actions that can be taken include: 1) Establish areas for cultivation and development of local pigs in districts/cities; (2) Maintaining the existence and use of public grazing land for local pig farming; and (3) Develop and increase the productivity of local pigs. In local pigs that have been raised by the community, conservation is carried out by selecting within the clump so that purity is maintained and conservation through efforts to improve the management of local pigs.