AIZAWL: Mizoram has called on the Central government to provide financial assistance to pig farmers severely impacted by the ongoing African Swine Fever (ASF) outbreak.
The state’s Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Minister, C Lalsawivunga made the plea during a recent meeting of Ministers of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary in Odisha.
He said that the outbreak of ASF has greatly affected the state and financially impacted the pig farmers
ASF, which first struck Mizoram in 2021, has caused significant losses to the state’s pig farming industry.
Minister Lalsawivunga highlighted the financial strain on farmers, emphasizing the need for urgent compensation. He also urged the Centre to expedite the development or import of vaccines to combat the disease.
Since the outbreak in 2021, over 57,000 pigs have died or been culled in Mizoram, resulting in an estimated economic loss of nearly Rs 800 crore.
While the Centre has provided some financial relief, the state government continues to seek additional support.
He said more than 7 crore was received from the Centre during 2021-22 and 2022-23 to compensate the pig farmers for their losses.
The minister also said that the state government has also sought another Rs 74.7 lakh assistance from the Centre for the fiscal 2023-24, which was already approved by the National Steering Committee.
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As of September 13, 234 villages across five districts in Mizoram remain affected by ASF. The disease has claimed the lives of over 12,000 pigs, and nearly 21,000 others have been culled to prevent its spread.
Officials believe the initial outbreak in 2021 was linked to the illegal import of pigs from neighbouring Bangladesh. Mizoram shares a 318-km-long international border with Bangladesh.
