A SMATTERING OF BALI PIG EXCELLENCE

1. A SMATTERING OF BALI PIG EXCELLENCE

Komang Budaarsa

Faculty of Animal Husbandry, Udayana University, Denpasar Bali

Email: bdr.komang@unud.ac.id,  Hp: 08123629838

Bali can be proud of the blessing of greatness in many aspects. The recognition for its culture and custom is uncontested. It doesn’t stop there, Bali can be a tiny island but its endemic flora and fauna are abundant. To name of few, bali snake-fruit (salak Bali) and Bali orange (jeruk Bali) (flora), and bali myna and bali cow (fauna). Another endemic fauna is the bali pig. Bali pig is one of Indonesia germplasms, and it exists only in Bali. Its existence in Bali is endangered since the landrace pigs break in, moreover Bali pigs will be completely extinct if this case is not well anticipated. Bali pigs are thought to come from China (Sus vitatus). In accordance with the phenotype, there are two types of balinese pigs: the first type is those found in eastern Bali, with the characteristics of: black fur and rather coarse, curved back but the stomach doesn’t touch the ground, and the rather long snout. The second type is those found in northern, western, central and southern Bali with the characteristics of: curved downward back (lordosis), large stomach, white stripes on their stomachs and on their four legs, short snouts, erect ears, and the height of adult pig is around 54 cm, with body length of about 90 cm and tail length of between 20-25 cm.

          The parent of bali pig (bangkung) has a very low stomach, and it even touches the ground when standing. The number of nipples are from 12-14, it can give birth to 12 piglets at a time. This pig is then known as bali pig. Hence, the hallmark of a bali pig is on its back, which is curved downward (lordosis). Unlike other landrace pigs (Landrace, duroc, largewhite, etc.), their back are curved upward like a bow.

bali pig with white stripes (left) and black (right) are semi-intensively domesticated.

Genetically, bali pigs grow slower than imported landrace breeds. It takes 10-12 months to reach 90-100 kg in weight, while imported landrace pigs only take 5-6 months to do so. This imported landrace pig is a serious competitor to bali pigs. The blame is not on the breeder in which they definitely want to sell the pigs quickly, and make a profit out of them. Nevertheless, in several locations in Bali, thankfully, the farmers are still bearing up in raising bali pigs.

Bali Pig Excellence

Despite its shortcomings, bali pigs show positive peculiarities which are capable to survive even if they are fed minimally, more resistant to various diseases, adapting to the environment more quickly especially to extreme environments, and drinking less water making them suitable for breeding in dry areas.

At present, bali pig population in Bali is widely spread in dry areas including Kubu Karangasem District, Nusa Penida District, Klungkung and Gerokgak Buleleng District. Most of the bali pig breeders are underpriviledged, and providing for themselves i.e. buying rice for their daily meals is already difficult let alone buying concentrate for pigs.

          In West Tianyar Village and Seraya Karangasem Village, there are many people who are still raising bali pigs because these areas are indeed dry. The breeders give bali pig a term dadi ajak lacur (can be asked to suffer) meaning that providing bali pigs with concentrate is not a must just like Landrace pigs or other breeds, instead improvised food which is generally kitchen waste, can still make them survive.

           These beneficial abilities of bali pigs should be made as consideration when the government plan to help poor families. The house renovation program by provincial government of Bali along with the aid of pigs as cattle in dry areas should prefer bali pigs as a choice. As the reason for this is its helpful ability to adapt to dry environment, the preservation are carried out indirectly.