More than 5,000 farmers in Mizoram have suffered extensive crop losses this year after a severe rodent infestation swept across the state, destroying an estimated 42 per cent of their harvest, a senior Agriculture Department official said.
Deputy Director (Plant Protection) Lalrindiki said the outbreak — linked to the gregarious flowering of Bambusa Tulda, a bamboo species locally known as Thingtam — has damaged over 1,700 hectares of farmland in 180 villages across all 11 districts.
A total of 5,317 farmers have been affected, she said, adding, “The outbreak is now largely under control due to mass poisoning drives and other preventive measures. The rodent population has also declined as the harvesting season has ended.”
According to the Agriculture Department, Mamit district, which shares borders with Bangladesh and Tripura, was the worst hit. As many as 2,009 families reported damage, with an estimated 60 per cent loss of crops. In Lunglei district, 1,071 farmers recorded a 60.70 per cent reduction in yield.
The most severe destruction, however, was reported in Hnahthial district, where 110 farmers recorded an alarming 82.9 per cent crop loss.
Lalrindiki noted that the gregarious flowering of Thingtam — a phenomenon that occurs roughly every 48 years — was first observed in a Mamit village in February last year. The last such flowering in Mizoram took place in 1977, while a similar rodent outbreak was reported in 2022, affecting at least nine districts.
Paddy has been the worst-affected crop, but maize, sugarcane, ginger, eggplant, pumpkin and sesame have also suffered significant damage, officials said.
Mizoram, where nearly 70 per cent of the population depends on agriculture, traditionally practices shifting or jhum cultivation, often yielding low productivity. In recent years, however, the government has promoted a shift toward horticulture and long-term plantation crops such as betel nut, grapes and pineapple.
Also read: Mizoram on track to become India’s ‘Ginger Capital’
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