Guwahati, Jan 28: Over 10 lakh pig farmers in Assam face an uncertain future as the state government has given the green light to Thailand-based Charoen Pokphand (CP) Group to establish pig farming units across the state.
This move has sparked strong opposition from local pig farmers, who fear severe economic losses due to increased competition from the multinational giant. Bharat Handique, joint secretary of the All Assam Pig Farmers Association (AAPFA), raised these concerns at a press conference held at the Dispur Press Club on Tuesday.
He alleged that CP Group, Thailand’s largest conglomerate, has expressed its intent to invest heavily in Assam’s piggery and poultry sector. On January 23, CP Group Chairman Adirek Sripratak held a video conference with Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to discuss the promotion of pork as a cultural cuisine.
Assam’s Revenue Minister Keshab Mahanta was also present in the meeting. CP Group, which boasts an annual revenue of $65 billion, is engaged in agribusiness, including animal feed production, vertical livestock integration, crop farming, aquaculture, food processing, healthcare, and the automobile industry.
The conglomerate has also been invited to participate in Advantage Assam 2.0, scheduled to take place in Guwahati on February 25 and 26. While local pig farmers do not oppose CP Group’s participation in the event, they fear that the state government may sign an MoU allowing the company to establish large-scale pig farms in the state.
Handique warned that such a move would severely impact small-scale pig farmers, as CP Group’s industrial-scale production would drive down prices, making it difficult for local farmers to compete.
“Over 10 lakh small pig farmers across Assam are self-reliant, providing employment without any government support. Despite repeated requests for assistance, the government has ignored our demands. If CP Group enters the sector, they will supply pigs at much lower prices, pushing us into financial distress,” Handique said.
“CP Group has been lobbying for over a year to enter Assam’s piggery sector. Earlier, Veterinary Minister Atul Borah had opposed their entry, citing the potential negative impact on local farmers. However, with the portfolio now under Minister Krishnendu Paul, who reportedly lacks expertise in the field, the state government has reconsidered its stance,” Handiqye alleged.
Pork consumption is widespread across Assam and the Northeast, with the region accounting for 38.42% of India’s total pig population. Assam alone possesses 1.63 million pigs (15.89%) of the country’s total 10.29 million pigs. With the demand for pork rising steadily, local farmers argue that the government should focus on strengthening indigenous farming rather than inviting foreign competition.
As the state government moves ahead with its plans, the future of Assam’s pig farmers remains uncertain. The farming community has urged the government to prioritize local farmers’ welfare and prevent multinational corporations from monopolizing the industry.
