Mizoram Faces Severe Financial Setback Due to African Swine Fever Outbreak

Mizoram has reported a significant financial loss of ₹114.64 crore in 2025 due to an outbreak of African Swine Fever (ASF), which has led to the death of over 9,700 pigs. The disease has severely impacted local pig farming, affecting thousands of families and resulting in cumulative losses exceeding ₹1,011 crore since 2021. The state has implemented culling measures to control the spread of ASF, with compensation provided for culled animals. The outbreak, first identified in 2021, continues to pose challenges for the region's agriculture sector, with previous outbreaks of other diseases compounding the issue. This article delves into the ongoing crisis and its implications for Mizoram's economy.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jan 16, 2026, 15:37 IST

Impact of African Swine Fever in Mizoram

Aizawl, Jan 16: Mizoram experienced a staggering financial loss of ₹114.64 crore in 2025 due to an outbreak of African Swine Fever (ASF), which resulted in the death of over 9,700 pigs, as reported by a senior official from the state's Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department.

Esther Lalzoliani Ralte, the Deputy Director of Disease Investigation & Epidemiology, stated that between March and December of the previous year, 9,711 pigs succumbed to ASF, while an additional 3,620 pigs were culled as a precautionary measure to control the disease's spread.

The outbreak had a significant impact on 3,867 families throughout the state during this timeframe.

The first case of ASF in Mizoram was identified on March 21, 2021, in Lungsen village, located in the Lunglei district near the Bangladesh border. Since that time, the disease has severely affected pig farming in the region.

From 2021 to the present, a total of 72,012 pigs have died from ASF, affecting over 12,500 families and leading to an estimated cumulative loss of ₹1,011.27 crore. Furthermore, 52,979 pigs have been culled over the years to prevent further outbreaks of this highly contagious disease.

The last reported pig deaths due to ASF occurred on December 8, 2025. The outbreak typically diminishes during the winter months but tends to resurge with warmer weather.

Regarding compensation, Ralte mentioned that more than ₹14.51 crore has been distributed to pig farmers as compensation for culled pigs, funded jointly by the central and state governments.

A proposal requesting ₹24.94 crore for compensation related to pigs culled in 2024 has been submitted to the central government, which will share the cost equally with the state.

Ralte clarified that there is no financial assistance for pigs that die from ASF; compensation is only available for culled animals.

In 2021, Mizoram recorded its highest pig fatalities, with 33,417 pigs lost to ASF, followed by 14,950 deaths in 2024 and 12,795 in 2022.

The financial losses were also significant, with the highest recorded in 2024 at ₹336.4 crore, followed by ₹334.14 crore in 2021 and ₹210.32 crore in 2022.

Mizoram has faced other pig diseases in the past, including Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS), which struck in 2013, 2016, 2018, and 2020, resulting in the death of thousands of pigs and piglets and causing losses of ₹10.62 crore.