Agriculture and animal husbandry are vital to Assam's rural economy, benefiting from the region's fertile land, abundant water and favourable climate (Jaiswal and Bhattacharjee, 2022; Shyam et al., 2016). In particular, pig farming holds significant cultural and economic importance, especially in rural villages (Goswami and Barua, 2024; Saikia et al., 2017). It provides a stable source of income and nutrition for the Assamese farmers, often more dependable than agriculture, which can be affected by unpredictable weather and market fluctuations (Doley, 2019). Pig farming has become a cornerstone of the region's economic and socio-cultural fabric, offering stability and reliability in the face of external challenges (Bhattacharjee et al., 2022). Piggery in Assam is mostly driven by small-scale units among the rural population, for whom it has been a traditional backyard practice (Goswami and Barua, 2025). With limited inputs and resources allocated to pig rearing, a pressing need arises especially after the outbreaks of the African Swine Fever (Sinha et al., 2024), to assess the economic implications of current farming methods and whether such farms of Assam have any competitive advantage.
       
The profitability of pig farming in Assam, like in other small-holder farming methods hinges on a careful balance between labour, capital and resource inputs and the efficiency of outputs (Kumar et al., 2026; Savickiene et al., 2015). Managing resources such as feed, water and healthcare is essential to optimize production costs and maximize returns (Nagaraj et al., 2011). Benchmarking against industry standards is a key strategy for identifying areas of improvement, enhancing operational efficiency and maintaining competitiveness (Krishnamoorthy and Lima, 2014). Competitiveness, defined by the ability to produce high-quality products at lower costs, is shaped by factors like assets, processes and performance and is supported by critical infrastructure, including education, R and D and government policies (Momaya, 1998).

A thorough methodology ensured systematic data collection, analysis and interpretation, minimising bias, errors and confounding factors. This study systematically assessed economic sustainability and competitiveness in pig farming in Assam, starting with a comprehensive literature review and using the Principle-Criteria-Indicator (PCI) framework. The PCI model, organising evaluation into principles, criteria and indicators, allowed for a structured and standardised assessment of sustainability goals (Sauvenier et al., 2006). Indicators were precisely defined and normalised to a 5-point Likert scale for consistent evaluation. The study focused on four of Assam's six agroclimatic zones, covering over 95 per cent of the state's pig population. It was conducted in two phases: the first involved identifying and validating indicators, while the second focused on data collection, analysis and interpretation.
       
An expert panel, selected through the snowballing method, included individuals with extensive experience in pig farming, sustainability and research, ensuring a thorough understanding of Assam's socio-cultural context. The target population comprised small pig farmers stratified by agroclimatic zones, with purposive sampling used to select representative farms. Indicator relevance was validated using the Expertise Selection Criteria method, with a panel of experts rating indicators on a 5-point Likert scale (Van Cauwenbergh et al., 2007). Weights were assigned to each assessment component using the Delphi method, fostering expert consensus. Data collection involved a validated questionnaire administered to 400 farms and the data was analysed using SPSS, ensuring rigorous statistical analysis and insightful results on the economic sustainability of small pig farms in Assam.  The study was conducted in the Assam Don Bosco University, during the period of 2021-2025. The findings are detailed in Table 1.


       
The following equation was used to calculate the sustainability index of each principle P_score.

 
n= Number of respondents.
I= Relevant Indicators associated with the criteria.
i= Increment variable.
W_i= Weightage of the indicator in the criteria.
c= Number of indicators within a criteria.
W_c= Weightage of the criteria in the principle.
p= Number of criteria within a principle
P_score= Sustainability index of a particular principle.
       
The following equation was used to calculate the sustainability index.
 
Economic sustainability index=

 
i= Increment variable.
W_p= Weightage of the principle in the theme.
p= Number of principles in the theme.
W_t= Weightage of the theme in the pillar.
t= Number of themes in the pillar.
P_score= Sustainability index of a particular principle.

Data from the 400 farms spanning four distinct agro-climatic zones was systematically gathered through a combination of surveys and structured interviews. A total of twelve indicators across five principles were identified for the study. The data has been presented based on the four agroclimatic zones North Brahmaputra Plains (NBP), Upper Brahmaputra Valley (UBV), Lower Brahmaputra Valley (LBV), Hill Zone (HZ) and as a consolidated form across all the agroclimatic zones as tabulated against each of the principles in Table 1.
 
Profitability
 
The analysis revealed consistent Pscores in profitability across four agroclimatic zones in Assam, with all zones scoring around 3.32, except UBV, which scored 3.33. During the study, it was revealed that there exists a supply gap across the areas which were taken up during the survey, attributing to the remarkable similarly across all the agroclimatic zones. This uniformity suggests that pig farms in the state face similar market conditions, including input prices, expenses and sale prices. While the cost of inputs was low across the zones, it was observed that small pig farms in Assam need to improve breeding efficiency, fattening efficiency and mortality rates to compete with global benchmarks. Due to the challenges in efficiently running the farms the overall profitability score was seen to be on the lower side and barely above the minimum acceptable level of 3.00.
 
Autonomy
 
The study found that small pig farms in Assam are making significant progress towards autonomy, with a consolidated score of 4.15. This suggests increasing independence from external subsidies and resilience against market volatility, highlighting a positive trend towards self-sufficiency and stability across the different zones.
 
Risk mitigation
 
Small pig farms in Assam are taking steps to mitigate risks such as disease outbreaks and market fluctuations, achieving a consolidated score of 3.50. While there is some variation across zones, the overall efforts to diversify income streams and implement biosecurity measures reflect progress in enhancing the farms' stability and resilience.
 
Durability
 
Pig farms in Assam scored an impressive 4.04 in this aspect, indicating strong durability and continuity in operations. The high scores across zones, reflect a deeply rooted tradition of pig farming that is likely to continue across generations, emphasizing the cultural and economic significance of pig farming in the region.
 
Local economy
 
The small pig farming sector in Assam plays a crucial role in the local economy, with a high score of 4.48 in the aspect of contribution to the local economy. The farmers' willingness to collaborate across the value chain and adopt new technologies underscores the sector's dynamic nature and its potential to drive broader economic development and support local entrepreneurship. Fig 1 illustrates the current status of the economic sustainability of the small pig farms of Assam across various principles.


       
The economic sustainability index of 3.75 calculated (Table 2) for small pig farms in Assam reflects a promising outlook for the sector. This favourable score is primarily attributed to the cost-effectiveness of inputs, particularly feed and variable costs, which play a pivotal role in determining the economic viability of pig-rearing operations in the region. The low costs associated with inputs contribute significantly to making pig farming in Assam conducive to economic sustainability. By leveraging local resources and collection-based feed production, farmers can minimise expenses. The standard deviation of 0.01 shows uniformity across all the zones.


 
Assessment of competitiveness
 
During the study, a specific set of indicators was carefully selected to assess the competitiveness of pig farms in the region. These indicators were chosen to comprehensively evaluate various aspects that contribute to the farms' overall competitive standing. Following the initial scoring, the mean scores were calculated for each agroclimatic zone, allowing for a detailed comparison between regions. Additionally, an overall consolidated score was determined, collectively representing the average competitiveness of all the surveyed farms. This process provided valuable insights into both regional and overall competitiveness. The detailed scores for each zone, as well as the consolidated score, are presented in Table 3 and represented by Fig 2.




       
The scores highlight two key phenomena regarding the competitiveness of the small pig farms in Assam. Firstly, these farms are highly competitive in terms of input costs and overall variable costs of rearing pigs. The practice of in-situ feed production and the process of collecting feed locally significantly contribute to their cost-effectiveness, allowing these farms to outperform benchmark figures used in the survey. This cost advantage demonstrates the farms' ability to maintain low expenses while sustaining their operations.
       
However, the second phenomenon reveals a significant challenge. When assessing parameters related to efficiency, the small pig farms of Assam fall considerably short compared to benchmark figures. Except for the parameter of piglet mortality, where the farms show a relative strength of 2.97, their scores in other efficiency-related indicators indicate a trend towards non-competitiveness. Factors such as growth rates, feed conversion ratios and overall productivity are areas where these farms lag.
       
To enhance their competitiveness, small pig farms in Assam must focus on improving their efficiency. This involves adopting better farming practices, investing in modern technologies and enhancing management techniques to optimize their operations. By addressing these efficiency gaps, the farms can bolster their competitive standing not only in terms of cost but also in productivity and overall performance. The scores underscore the importance of targeted improvements in efficiency to ensure the long-term sustainability and competitiveness of small pig farming in the region.
       
The analysis of piggery operations in Assam highlights the importance of profitability, efficiency and productivity within the sector. Despite uniformity in operational practices across different agroclimatic zones, profitability scores hover close to the minimum acceptable threshold, indicating challenges in competitiveness. Key areas like breeding and fattening efficiency, mortality rates and labour productivity were assessed, revealing the need for targeted interventions to enhance operational effectiveness. The study also underscores the socio-economic significance of pig farming, emphasizing its impact on community well-being and the broader economy.
       
Risk mitigation remains a critical concern for small-scale pig farms in Assam. The survey revealed that while farmers have diversified income sources and shown some preparedness against risks like disease outbreaks and market fluctuations, gaps in biosecurity measures and other risk management strategies pose significant challenges. These vulnerabilities threaten the sustainability and resilience of pig farming operations, highlighting the need for improved practices and strategic interventions to safeguard against potential threats and ensure long-term viability.
       
Despite the challenges, Assam's small pig farms exhibit commendable autonomy, resilience and positive economic contributions. Farmers have developed strong local economic networks, collaborating with local suppliers, butchers and traders, which strengthens the community and supports the local economy. However, efficiency improvements, particularly in key performance metrics, are essential for enhancing competitiveness. Farmers' openness to innovation and intergenerational continuity in farming practices are positive signs for the future, but ongoing efforts to improve efficiency and risk management will be crucial for sustaining the farms' long-term success.

The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest regarding the publication of this article. No funding or sponsorship influenced the design of the study, data collection, analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.