Mizoram has suffered an estimated financial loss of Rs 960 crore due to the continued outbreak of African Swine Fever (ASF), which has killed more than 71,000 pigs in the state since 2021.Informing the Assembly on February 27, Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Minister C Lalsawivunga said the disease has badly affected the livestock sector, especially pig farmers across the state.Speaking in the House in Aizawl, the minister said that since the first outbreak was reported in March 2021, a total of 71,912 pigs have been lost. He said 8,966 families have been affected by the outbreak. Out of the total number of pigs lost, 52,979 were culled as a preventive step to stop the spread of the disease.
The minister further informed that in the current 2025–26 financial year alone, 9,711 pigs have died due to ASF. In addition, 3,615 pigs were culled under disease control measures. He said that as per normal guidelines of the Union government, compensation is usually given only for animals that are culled. However, the Mizoram government declared ASF a “state-specific disaster” in 2024. The decision was taken under the leadership of Chief Minister Lalduhoma to provide financial relief to farmers whose pigs died because of the disease. Under the State Disaster Response Fund norms, an ex gratia amount of Rs 4,000 is being given for each pig that dies due to ASF. The minister said that more than Rs 30 crore has already been distributed as compensation to affected farmers.
African Swine Fever is a highly contagious viral disease that affects pigs. Officials said the continued outbreak remains a serious challenge for Mizoram’s rural economy, as pig farming is an important source of income for many families.
