News in Brief:
– China has developed a new pig breed, Lansi, that grows faster, yields more lean meat, and has higher disease resistance.
– This breed aims to reduce reliance on Western imports and enhance China’s self-sufficiency in pork production.
China has developed a new breed of pig called Lansi, which is expected to revolutionise pig farming with its leaner meat, faster growth, and higher disease resistance. This development could influence pig farming practices worldwide, including those in Nigeria and other countries.
China’s success with the Lansi pig is a result of 14 years of selective breeding trials involving over 2,000 swine from the United States and United Kingdom. This long-term investment has yielded a pig that meets the country’s specific needs.
Selective breeding involves choosing specific animals with desirable traits to reproduce, creating offspring that inherit these traits. Over time, this leads to the development of breeds with enhanced characteristics, such as faster growth or better disease resistance.
Statistics on pork production in China
- In 2023, China produced nearly 58 million tonnes of pork, accounting for half of the world’s total output.
- Over 90% of pigs used in commercial breeding in China previously came from overseas.
China’s goal is to achieve a self-sufficiency rate of more than 95% in major farm animals by 2035. As of last year, the rate was already over 75% and it hopes the Lansi pig variety will increase this figure due to its unique features.
Key features of Lansi pig
- Faster Growth and leaner meat: The Lansi pig grows faster and produces more lean meat compared to traditional breeds. This is crucial for meeting the high demand for pork in China, the world’s largest producer and consumer of pork.
- Higher disease resistance: Lansi pigs are more resistant to diseases, reducing the need for antibiotics and other treatments. This trait can lower production costs and improve the sustainability of pig farming.
Farmers around the world can learn from China’s approach to improving efficiency in pig farming. The Lansi pig’s ability to grow faster and produce more lean meat can lead to higher yields and better market performance.
The country’s strategy can inspire other countries to invest in developing local breeds suited to their specific environments and needs.
