SWINE RESEARCH INSTITUTE

Scientific and technological centre in charge of the leading role of science and technology in the pig industry

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Swine Research Institute.

Its main objective is to develop experimental work aimed at responding to specific aspects of pig production, extending it to countries with the same climatic conditions. With the focus on national and environmentally friendly solutions, it has mainly dealt with aspects related to genetics, breeding and nutrition of pigs, as well as the design of the facilities and mechanisation of the most laborious processes. In addition, organisational aspects of the pig units and waste treatment have been highly considered in the work of the institute.

Since it was founded in 1972 as a Pig Research Centre, it has developed experimental work aimed at finding indigenous solutions to the problems of pig farming in Cuba, which can be transferred to other countries. At the beginning it had 47 workers, 12 women and 35 men. By resolution No. 425-5 dated 23 December 1985 of the Ministry of Agriculture, it was named the Institute of Swine Research.

Since 1996 the IIP has adopted a Research and Development Management Model focused on the demands of the environment and in which the scientific-technical work is carried out through the execution of projects and the provision of scientific-technical services. Research covers the areas of genetics, feeding and management, digestive physiology, reproduction, informatics, environment and animal biosecurity.

Mission

To contribute to the solution of the productive and environmental problems of pig production in Cuba through research, transfer and technological innovation, in order to increase production in a more efficient and competitive way.

Vision

To satisfy the technological demands of pig production through the results of scientific research, technology transfer and innovation and specialised services, strengthening the extension and training system. To promote national and international collaboration and develop new lines of research work through the execution of integral projects.

Training

The IIP is an authorised centre of the Ministry of Higher Education (MES), which meets the demands of postgraduate training. 100% of the researchers are Master of Science and 50% have the scientific degree of Doctor of Science.

Main lines of research, development and innovation

  • Preservation and improvement of gene pools.
  • Ensuring animal health from the animal's health and management.
  • Development of non-conventional food technologies from: enriched sugar cane honeys and use of other alternative crops; sugar cane and its derivatives, tubers, roots and their foliage; Bananas and their foliage, sunflower, soybean, other legumes, sorghum; foliage of tropical trees and shrubs; Agricultural residues processed wastes and harvest residues; Biomass production from pig excreta (vermiculture, aquatic plants, aquaculture)..
  • Industrial waste, slaughterhouse waste, fishery waste, milling by-products, citrus waste, distillers' yeast, stillage yeast and distillers' grains.
  • Food production.
  • Agricultural waste collection.
  • Formulation of starter feeds to contribute to lower production costs by reducing imports.
  • Development of technologies for pig production at different scales aimed at the purification of pig waste integrated with the production of renewable energy, organic fertiliser and/or water saving (biodigesters/deep litter/industrial biogas plants).
  • Development of pig breeding (AI) systems.
  • Development of quality management.
  • The pig as a human model in biomedicine.
  • Production of healthy/useful pig lungs for the production of Surfacen, a drug for the treatment of respiratory stress syndrome in newborn infants.
  • Science and innovation management based on the diagnostic and prognostic study of the pork production chain in Cuba.
  • Institutional innovation for the improvement of performance in R&D&I activity within the System of Direction and Management of self-financed entities for scientific research, technological innovation, productions and specialised services..