Mokokchung, August 23 (MTNews): As Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman visits Nagaland, about 20 pig farmers in Nagaland’s Mokokchung district has appealed to her to look into their plight who are recuperating from huge loss in the wake of the African Swine Fever (AFS) epidemic and Porcine Reproductive & Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) diseases that swept across parts of Mokokchung district in 2021.
The loss caused due to the disease has been great and the impact it has caused on the economy of the farmers is huge. Lanukaba, a pig farmer and convener of Ongpangkong South Block Pig Farmers Association said that the government under the National Livestock Mission encouraged the farmers to take up piggery farming and taking the advice many farmers started pig farming by availing bank loans (through NABARD) on a commercial scale from 2018-19.
According to Lanukaba, the pig farmers started smoothly but disaster struck when in April 2021, African Swine Fever (AFS) and Porcine Reproductive & Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) diseases were confirmed. He went on to add that the Ongpangkong South Block Pig Farmers Association has been one of the most productive and successful pig farmers in the district and has been providing good breeding stocks to the pig rearers in the district before the epidemic struck. And by the month of October 2021, all the pigs in the various farms had died, he added. According to a conservative estimate, the loss is to the tune of more than rupees 10 crores.
He went on to add that Ongpangkong South Block Pig Farmers Association from Longjongkong (New Camp), Satier sector of Aliba village and Satsü consisting of more than 20 farmers who availed bank loans approached the bank for extension of loan repayment but was unfortunately turned down.
He also added that the farmers have also approached the Mokokchung Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Department and the District Disaster Management Authority for help and assistance to mitigate their losses. However, he lamented that there has been no response from the concerned department so far.
Besides, Lanukaba also cited the example of Mizoram state where the same epidemic affected pig farmers there. He stated that the farmers in that state have been adequately compensated by the government. He further added that he on behalf of the affected farmers would like to take an opportunity to appeal to the Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman taking advantage of her current visit to Nagaland to look into the matter and the plight of the pig farmers recuperating from the huge loss.