The Mizoram government has issued an alarm following significant rodent attacks across three districts, raising alarms about potential famine conditions. Over 800 jhum cultivators have reported losses, according to statements made by officials from the Agriculture Department on Thursday.
Deputy Director of Plant Protection, Lalrindiki, attributes the rodent infestation to a natural phenomenon known as ‘Thingtam,’ which occurs every 46 to 48 years coinciding with the flowering of bambusa tulda, commonly referred to as rawthing bamboo. The next flowering cycle is predicted for 2025.
Reports of rodent outbreaks have emerged from multiple villages in Mamit district, with additional reports coming from two villages in Lunglei and one in Saitual. Currently, 158 hectares out of 2,500 hectares dedicated to jhum cultivation have suffered damage, primarily affecting rice and soybean crops. Mamit, which borders Tripura and Bangladesh, is the hardest-hit area, with 769 farmers from 45 villages experiencing crop losses.
In response, the Agriculture Department has dispatched teams to distribute rodenticides and provide training for farmers and village leaders on their effective use. Awareness campaigns to promote mass rodent poisoning are also underway, and district officers have been tasked with providing weekly updates on the situation.
Officials have indicated that the rodent attacks are currently limited to jhum paddy and soybean fields and have not yet impacted wet rice cultivation. A similar major rodent outbreak occurred in Mizoram in 2022, affecting nine districts, while an even more severe crisis arose in 2007 due to the flowering of Melocanna baccifera bamboo, which led to a surge in rodent populations and food shortages. Preparations and central assistance during that time were pivotal in preventing casualties.
Agriculture serves as the foundation of Mizoram’s economy, with nearly 70 percent of its population reliant on farming. Despite the prevalence of traditional slash-and-burn jhum farming, the government is encouraging practices in horticulture and the establishment of long-term plantations for crops like pineapple, grapes, and betel nut to enhance agricultural yields and resilience.
Historically, famine has played a significant role in Mizoram’s political landscape. The mautam famine of the 1950s, along with perceived neglect from the central government, incited a two-decade insurgency led by the Mizo National Front. This conflict concluded with the 1986 peace accord, subsequently enabling Mizoram to achieve statehood the following year.
Original Source: https://nenews.in/mizoram/mizoram-on-alert-as-rodent-infestation-hits-farmers-in-three-districts/33237/
Category: Mizoram,Alert,Infestation,Rodent
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Publish Date: 2025-09-25 19:14:00
