The Kalinga native pig is one of several native black pigs in the collection of the National Swine and Poultry Research and Development Center in Brgy. Lagalag, Tiaong, Quezon. It has its good points and minus point, according to Dr. Rene Santiago, chief of center, NSPRDC.

Its minus point? It has long snout and buyers, especially makers of lechon, don’t want pigs with long snout. Its plus points? It is docile and very prolific.

The NSPRDC has been crossing the Kalinga pig with other native pigs to produce piglets with short snout. The objective is also to develop pigs that are prolific and which produce piglets that are uniform in size and color. The researchers have been successful in achieving these objectives.

The researchers have also crossed the Kalinga pig with Berkshire, an old black breed from the United States. The result is a big-bodied black pig.