Mizoram Farmers Face Severe Crop Losses Due to Rodent Infestation

Significant Crop Damage in Mizoram

Aizawl, Dec 3: Over 5,000 farmers in Mizoram have experienced a staggering 42 percent loss in their harvest this year, primarily due to a rodent infestation, as reported by an official from the Agriculture Department on Tuesday.

The rodent problem, which has been exacerbated by the mass flowering of a bamboo species known as 'Bambusa Tulda', has devastated more than 1,700 hectares across 180 villages in all 11 districts of the state, according to Deputy Director (Plant Protection) Lalrindiki.

In total, 5,317 farmers have been impacted, suffering a crop loss of 42.06 percent, she noted.

"The situation is largely under control thanks to extensive poisoning campaigns and other preventive strategies. The rodent numbers have also significantly decreased as the harvest season has concluded," she explained.

Lalrindiki highlighted that the Mamit district, located in the north-western part of the state and bordering Bangladesh and Tripura, was the most severely affected, with 2,009 families experiencing crop losses estimated at 60 percent.

Following Mamit, Lunglei district in the south reported that 1,071 farmers faced a 60.70 percent loss of their crops.

Hnahthial district recorded the highest level of destruction, with 110 farmers losing an alarming 82.9 percent of their crops.

The flowering of 'Bambusa Tulda', locally referred to as 'Thingtam', was first observed in a Mamit village in February of the previous year.

Paddy has been the primary crop affected by the rodents, but other crops such as maize, sugarcane, ginger, eggplant, pumpkin, and sesame have also suffered significant damage, according to officials.

The Thingtam phenomenon, which occurs in a 48-year cycle, last took place in Mizoram in 1977. The previous rodent outbreak was reported in 2022, impacting at least nine districts.

Mizoram's economy is predominantly agricultural, with around 70 percent of its population relying on farming. The traditional method of slash-and-burn jhum or shifting cultivation yields poor results.

In response, the government has been actively promoting the transition from jhum farming to horticulture and long-term plantations, including betel nuts, grapes, and pineapples.