First swine fever, then imports: Why Mizoram pig farmers are hitting the streets

Aizawl: Pig farmers in Mizoram have voiced their frustration over the perceived lack of support from the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary (AH&Vety) Department as the state grapples with a resurgence of African Swine Fever (ASF). Since January, the department has reported the deaths of 657 pigs due to ASF, with an additional 299 pigs culled to prevent the spread of the disease. The outbreak has been confirmed in the districts of Champhai, Aizawl, Khawzawl, and Saitual, with numbers rising weekly.

Officials from the Mizoram Pig Farmers Association(MIPFA) have criticized the AH&Vety Department’s response as inadequate. “It is very hard for us to reach them,” the association stated, expressing dissatisfaction with the department’s initiatives.

The economic impact of ASF on Mizoram’s pig farming industry has been devastating. The first wave of the outbreak in 2021 resulted in losses of ₹334.14 crores, while the second wave in 2022 caused losses of ₹200.38 crores, totaling ₹534.43 crores. In terms of livestock, the first wave saw 45,808 pig deaths, followed by 23,143 in the second wave.

MIPFA secretary Zorinpuia highlighted that farmers have not received compensation for the pigs culled in 2022. Despite the central government releasing 25% of the necessary funds, the disbursement is stalled pending the state government’s matching share.

Further compounding the farmers’ woes is the government’s alleged promotion of frozen meat imports from other states. Zorinpuia criticized this policy, stating, “The sales of frozen meat imported from other states have decreased our sales, causing us to suffer a double impact.” During the peak of the ASF outbreaks in 2021 and 2022, the AH&Vety Department had banned all frozen pork imports, a stance that has since changed.

The Mizoram Pig Farmers Association accused the AH&Vety Department of facilitating these imports. Following a meeting with officials from the department, Aizawl City Vawksa Zuar Association, and the Mizoram Pig Farmers Association, assurances were given for further discussions. However, the meeting minutes noted the permission to allow frozen meat imports.

In a controversial move, four officials from the AH&Vety Department were sponsored to visit Mayur Piggery Farm in October 2022. Subsequently, the Disaster Management and Rehabilitation Department issued an order on December 2, 2022, permitting the sale of frozen meat from ASF-free states and APEDA-approved firms for Christmas 2022 and New Year 2023. These frozen meats, which are not tested for ASF, may be contributing to the disease’s persistence, Zorinpuia suggested. In protest, the farmers burned packages of frozen pork meat near the PIGFED meat house at around 1:30 pm on Monday. The association said they would take action if the sale of frozen pork meat continues after the month of May.

Association president Lalduhawma shared his personal losses, stating, “I have 100 pigs ready for slaughter, but we have nowhere to sell them. We used to sell the meat for ₹300 per kg, but now we can hardly sell it for ₹280 per kg. Our sales have been impacted after frozen pig meat came into the market.”

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