October 13, 2023

Manipur, India pig farming grapples with potential crisis as mysterious disease kills pigs

A pig industry organisation in Manipur, India, raised alarm that pig farming, which has been a profitable business in the state, will be facing a signficant challenge in the next few years unless the state veterinary department looks into the issue of mass death of pigs caused by an unknown disease.

Joint secretary of Manipur Progressive Pig Farmers' Association (MAPPEA) Leishangbam Bidyasagar told the media on October 11 that due to an epidemic caused by the disease, around 90% of pig population in five valley districts were dead.

Many farmers get financial loans for piggery business. However, with the mass death of pigs, farmers are facing a major issue and most of them are unable to pay the debts, Bidyasagar added.

Last year, MAPPEA approached the state veterinary department to test the carcass of pigs and determine the cause of death. Unfortunately, authorities failed to provide a report concerning the cause, Bidyasagar added.

The association also submitted a memorandum to a government official to facilitate compensations to affected farmers. But, there has been no response, Bidyasagar claimed.

He appealed to the state government to look into the matter seriously as many piggery farmers are facing a severe problem.

- Imphal Free Press