The Animal Husbandry and Veterinary (AH & Vety) Department, Government of Mizoram, on Wednesday launched an Animal Insurance Scheme aimed at providing financial protection to livestock farmers across the state. The scheme was formally launched by AH & Vety Minister C. Lalsawivunga at the Planning & Programme Implementation Department Committee Room.
On the occasion, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the National Insurance Company Ltd. and the AH & Vety Department, in the presence of the Minister and Dr K.C. Lalmalsawmzauva, Vice Chairman of the Mizoram State Planning Commission. The MoU was signed by Pu Lalsangliana, Secretary, AH & Vety Department, on behalf of the state government.
Under the scheme, insurance coverage will be provided for various types of livestock, including pigs, cattle, mithun, goats, sheep and poultry. The National Insurance Company Ltd. has been selected as the implementing agency.
As per the scheme guidelines, 15 per cent of the insurance premium will be borne by the livestock farmers, while the remaining amount will be subsidised.
However, for farmers enrolled as progress partners under the Handholding Scheme, the premium contribution will be fully covered under the scheme. For pig insurance, which carries a total premium of Rs 2,000, non-Handholding Scheme farmers will be required to pay only Rs 292.
Addressing the gathering, Minister C. Lalsawivunga said the launch of a comprehensive animal insurance scheme was a long-standing need of livestock farmers. He noted that many insurance companies had been reluctant to provide animal insurance in Mizoram, particularly due to the outbreak of African Swine Fever (ASF).
He credited Chief Minister Lalduhoma for taking up the matter with the Central Government and writing to the head offices of insurance companies, which helped pave the way for the current arrangement.
The Minister highlighted that Mizoram was moving towards self-sufficiency in pork production but had suffered major setbacks since the outbreak of ASF in 2021. He stated that pig farmers in the state have incurred losses amounting to Rs 960 crore due to ASF, and many are yet to fully recover.
He further informed that the state government had requested the Union Government to reduce the state’s matching share for animal insurance from 30 per cent to 10 per cent, which was subsequently approved. For the current phase of the scheme, Mizoram has received Rs 66.49 lakh from the Centre as the first instalment, under which 4,545 animals are proposed to be insured.
The Minister reiterated the government’s commitment to supporting livestock farmers, noting that ASF has been declared a state-specific disaster in Mizoram and that compensation is being provided to affected farmers.
Officials from the National Insurance Company Ltd. also briefed participants on the insurance application process and claim settlement mechanism. It was informed that insurance claims will be processed and settled within Mizoram, without the need to refer cases to other states, with Aizawl designated as the claim settlement centre.
Also Read: Ukhrul violence: Three years on, is Manipur on the brink again?