Hechuan Black Pig

Hechuan Black Pig

The Hechuan Black Pig is a geographical indication certification trademark.

　　　The “Hechuan Black Pig” originated from local breeds known as “mud pigs” and “thorn pigs.” It boasts strong adaptability, delicious meat quality, high-quality bristles, and strong breeding capabilities. It is a locally developed pig breed formed through long-term selective breeding and has a history of over 1,600 years. But in recent years, due to the strong impact of high-yield imported pig breeds, the population of Hechuan Black Pigs has sharply declined. Staff at the Hechuan District Animal Husbandry Station reported that there are currently only 27,800 Hechuan Black Pigs in the entire district, with just 11 boars remaining, putting the breed at risk of extinction.

　　　　The “Hechuan Black Pig” Chongqing Local Breed Standard clearly defines the breed’s characteristics and the grading evaluation of breeding pigs. Review experts from the National Committee on Livestock and Poultry Genetic Resources—Swine Subcommittee and the Municipal Agriculture Commission believe that establishing this standard “is conducive to the preservation and breeding promotion of the Hechuan Black Pig.”

　　　　Previously, to save this precious pig breed, Hechuan established a black pig conservation area and even provided “nutrition subsidies” to the boars among the Hechuan Black Pigs. Currently, local animal husbandry authorities are applying for national-level livestock breed resource identification and striving to establish a core conservation farm for the Hechuan Black Pig resource.

　　A brand is a prominent symbol of modern animal husbandry and an essential path to developing high-end, high-quality, and efficient animal husbandry. Since the successful application of the “Hechuan Black Pig” geographical indication trademark last year, to fully leverage the brand’s driving role, tap the potential of local breed resources, strengthen local advantageous industries, and promote the development of modern pig farming in Hechuan District, the Hechuan District Bureau of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine has planned and constructed a core conservation zone for the Hechuan Black Pig breed resources between Qiantang and Shayu towns. This initiative aims to build a local specialty brand and promote stable and sustained income growth for farmers.

　　First, within the conservation zone, plans include constructing one core conservation farm and five expansion farms to further research the Hechuan Black Pig’s superior traits such as meat flavor, fertility, stress resistance, and tolerance to coarse feed. The unique advantages of the Hechuan Black Pig will be integrated with the fast growth and high lean meat ratio traits of foreign pig breeds to develop distinctive swine products. This will improve people’s living standards, ensure the safety and quality of pork products, and enhance the market competitiveness of the pig farming industry.

　　Second, efforts will be strengthened to conserve, selectively breed, and develop the Hechuan Black Pig. By intensifying conservation, selective breeding, and resource development, the Hechuan District Bureau of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine has organized livestock experts to enter villages and farms. They provide technical training to Hechuan Black Pig breeders (farms) in the conservation zone through a combination of centralized classes, on-site guidance, and technical services. The training mainly focuses on addressing practical issues encountered by Hechuan Black Pig breeders in production, offering instruction and guidance on disease prevention, feeding management, eco-friendly breeding, and wastewater recycling. The aim is to promote standardized production, improve the professional skills of breeders, and equip Hechuan Black Pig breeders (farms) with both certain animal husbandry techniques and the business management capabilities and concepts needed to meet modern demands. This builds a bridge to prosperity for those developing Hechuan Black Pig farming.

　　Third, supervision over the construction of the Hechuan Black Pig breed resource conservation core zone will be intensified. Performance evaluations will be strictly conducted according to the National Breeding Pig Performance Testing Standards and the Hechuan Black Pig local standards. The performance testing and breeding record-keeping system for Hechuan Black Pigs will be improved, along with the proper evaluation and timely renewal of breeding pigs. Warning signs for conservation will be set up in the Hechuan Black Pig conservation zone, where economic crossbreeding is strictly prohibited. Identification of pigs in conservation farms, selection and breeding pairing, and feeding management technical records will be maintained, with archives managed by designated personnel.

　　Fourth, advertising and promotional efforts will be increased to expand the brand’s influence comprehensively. A brand is the key to market success, and to win in fierce competition, it is essential to establish a unique brand. To promote the Hechuan Black Pig brand, our district has made full use of major events such as agricultural trade fairs and the China Well-Known Trademark Enterprises • Chongqing Geographical Indication Products Expo. We have organized and mobilized representatives of Hechuan Black Pig breeders (farms) to participate in commodity fairs and product exhibitions, showcasing and promoting local specialty products to continuously enhance product visibility. At the same time, we are cultivating trademark awareness among Hechuan Black Pig breeders (farms), transforming their production and marketing concepts, and making full use of the advantages of the Hechuan Black Pig geographical indication trademark to expand product recognition.