Mizoram faces crop devastation as bamboo flowering triggers a rodent surge, destroying farmlands and raising famine fears. With African Swine Fever already affecting livelihoods, the state seeks urgent aid to protect farmers from food insecurity and economic collapse.
Mizoram, a state already grappling with the outbreak of African Swine Fever that has killed over 9,400 pigs and impacted around 3,700 families across eight districts, is now facing another agricultural crisis. A sudden surge in rodent population, triggered by the flowering of bamboo, has destroyed crops across large swathes of farmland, sparking fears of famine-like conditions.
According to officials from the state’s Forest and Agriculture departments, the bamboo flowering phenomenon—locally known as Thingtam—is linked to rodent outbreaks that historically devastate crops and food supplies. Mizoram, which shares borders with Assam, Tripura, Myanmar, and Bangladesh, is experiencing the destructive cycle once again.
Rodent Infestation Across Farmlands
The rodents, feeding initially on bamboo seeds, have turned their attention to farmlands and granaries. Crops including paddy, maize, sugarcane, cow pea, ginger, eggplant, chilli, pumpkin, sesame, and cucumber have been devoured in several districts. Officials reported that at least 122 villages across Serchhip, Mamit, Lunglei, and Saitual districts are heavily affected, with around 4,000 families suffering immense agricultural losses.
The scale of destruction is alarming. Of Mizoram’s 6,869.954 hectares of cropping areas, more than 1,737 hectares of paddy fields have been wiped out. Farmers, already struggling with poor resources and connectivity, are under severe strain.
Government and Farmers’ Response
The Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Department has distributed rodenticides and other chemicals to contain the rat menace. Farmers, however, have also relied on traditional methods, including slingshots and indigenous traps such as vaithang, mangkhawng, and thangchep. Officials have urged villagers to rotate between different methods—both chemical and traditional—to counter rodents’ tendency to avoid the same bait after repeated attempts.
Village councils have been advised to organize mass poisoning operations in paddy fields to maximize effectiveness. Yet, the challenges remain daunting. Poor road connectivity, inadequate funding, and persistent monsoon rains have hampered timely interventions in remote areas. Many farmers submitted delayed reports of infestations, leaving authorities little time to prevent massive crop losses.
Historical and Natural Context
Experts warn that the current outbreak is part of a natural cycle. Thingtam, the cyclical famine caused by bamboo flowering, occurs every 45–48 years. The last major event was in 1977, while smaller outbreaks were reported in 2007 and 2022.
The phenomenon begins with the gregarious flowering of bamboo, leading to an abundance of seeds. This sudden food surplus boosts the rodent population. But once bamboo seeds are depleted, rats invade fields and granaries, destroying standing crops and stored food.
The historical precedent is grim. In 1959, Mizoram—then part of Assam—was devastated by a famine known as Mautam, also caused by bamboo flowering. Rats, after exhausting bamboo seeds, ravaged crops and even invaded homes, leaving villages with little food. Many Mizos relied on jungle roots and leaves to survive, while others migrated. Starvation claimed countless lives.
The famine and the government’s perceived negligence led to a two-decade-long insurgency spearheaded by the Mizo National Front (MNF). The conflict ended in 1986 with the signing of the historic peace accord, and Mizoram achieved statehood in 1987.
Appeal for Assistance
Mizoram’s Agriculture Minister, P.C. Vanlalruata, has already sought special financial and technical assistance from the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) to mitigate the crisis. The minister stressed the need for urgent intervention, as the rodent outbreak threatens food security and the livelihoods of thousands of families dependent on farming.
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With over 70 percent of Mizoram’s population engaged in agriculture, the current crisis has heightened fears of a repeat of past tragedies. As farmers fight a two-front battle against livestock disease and rodent-driven crop loss, urgent coordinated action is vital to prevent the situation from spiraling into a full-blown famine.
