Mizoram MP Appeals for Urgent Financial Aid Amidst African Swine Fever Crisis

Mizoram's MP Richard Vanlalhmangaiha has urged the Centre to provide financial assistance to families affected by the African Swine Fever (ASF) outbreak. Highlighting over Rs 200 crore in losses and the culling of thousands of pigs, he called for immediate relief to support struggling pig farmers.

Mizoram's lone Lok Sabha MP, Richard Vanlalhmangaiha, made an impassioned plea to the Centre on Friday for financial assistance to help families impacted by the African Swine Fever (ASF) outbreak.

During the zero hour in Parliament, Vanlalhmangaiha underscored the severe financial distress pig farmers in the state are experiencing due to ASF. He disclosed that the disease has inflicted financial losses exceeding Rs 200 crore, disrupting the livelihoods of thousands of families.

Since February, ASF has claimed the lives of over 8,200 pigs, with more than 15,000 culled to contain the outbreak. Vanlalhmangaiha voiced concern over the farmers' inability to repay loans and the absence of assistance from the Centre.

The MP reminded the House that the state government had earlier submitted a Rs 26.7 crore project proposal aimed at revamping the piggery sector and managing the outbreak.

He called on the Union Animal Husbandry Ministry to fast-track the disbursement of financial aid to compensate and support pig farmers for their substantial losses.

ASF was initially detected in Lungsen village in southern Mizoram's Lunglei district, near the Bangladesh border, in March 2021. Since its onset, the outbreak has resulted in the deaths of over 56,400 pigs and the culling of more than 42,200, according to the state's animal husbandry and veterinary department officials.

(With inputs from agencies.)