Mizoram MP appeals to Centre to compensate pig farmers in state for loss due to swine fever

K Vanlalvena, the only Rajya Sabha member from Mizoram has urged the Centre to provide financial compensation to farmers rearing pigs in his state, as over 29,800 pigs have succumbed to African Swine Fever (ASF) in Mizoram.

He raised the issue in the Rajya Sabha yesterday and stated that the disease is a disaster and a natural calamity for the poor farmers. The monetary losses due to the outbreak of ASF is estimated to be around Rs 8,000 crore, according to the Member of Parliament.

Meanwhile, according to state animal husbandry and veterinary science minister Dr K Beichhua, as 29,803 pigs have died in the state, due to the outbreak of African Swine Fever (ASF) since March when the first pig death due to the dreaded disease was reported at Lungsen village in South Mizoram's Lunglei district.

The disease has spread to 272 villages in 11 districts. However, there is decline in the daily number of deaths of pigs. The National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases, Bhopal confirmed in April, the presence of ASF in Mizoram.