**Executive Summary:**
This document addresses the impact of African Swine Fever (ASF) on Assam's pig population and outlines the Indian government's response. It details the assistance provided to affected farmers, measures taken for disease control and prevention, and support for restocking healthy pig populations. The document also mentions financial support provided to Assam for various initiatives, including laboratory strengthening and capacity building, with ₹377.885 lakhs provided in 2024-25 under ASCAD.
**Key Points / Main Content:**
* **ASF Impact and Losses:**
* 44,596 pigs in Assam died due to ASF in the last five years.
* 8,295 pigs were culled to prevent the disease spread.
* **Compensation and Support:**
* ₹225.00 lakh compensation provided for culling under the ASCAD of Livestock Health and Disease Control Program (LHDCP).
* 344 farmers compensated for culled pigs in the last five years.
* **Disease Control and Prevention Measures:**
* National Action Plan on ASF (2020) includes movement control, stamping out, cleaning and disinfection, feeding restrictions, and enhanced surveillance.
* Crisis Management Plan (CMP) for livestock diseases (2024) outlines carcass disposal methods and strategies for containment and mitigation.
* **Infrastructure and Breed Improvement Support:**
* Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund (AHIDF) under the National Livestock Mission (NLM) supports breed improvement farms for pigs, with loans up to 90% from lending organizations.
* NLM-Entrepreneurship Development Programme (EDP) provides 50% capital subsidy for pig farm establishment.
* 13 projects approved under EDP with a total project cost of ₹7.67 crore, and ₹1.3 crore approved for 6 projects in Assam.
* **Research and Vaccine Development:**
* A joint DBT research project initiated by multiple institutions for ASF diagnosis, epidemiology, and vaccine development. Currently, no vaccine is available.
* **State Government Initiatives:**
* Assam supports pig farmers through the "Pig Revolution in Assam through Animals of high genetic merit (PRAtahm)" project.
* **Financial Support for Capacity Building:**
* Financial support is provided to States/UTs for establishing and strengthening laboratories, research, capacity building, and training.
* Assam received ₹377.885 lakhs under ASCAD in 2024-25.
**Impact Analysis**
* **Affected Farmers and Backyard Piggery Units:**
* *Impact:* Financial losses due to pig deaths and culling; potential disruption to livelihoods.
* *Action Required:* Claim compensation for culled pigs; implement biosecurity measures; participate in state government support programs.
* **State Government of Assam:**
* *Impact:* Responsible for disease control, implementing national action plans, and supporting pig farmers.
* *Action Required:* Utilize funds for disease control, laboratory strengthening, and farmer support; implement the "Pig Revolution" project; collaborate on research initiatives.
* **Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying:**
* *Impact:* Oversees national policies and provides financial and technical assistance to states.
* *Action Required:* Continue monitoring ASF outbreaks; provide financial support under ASCAD, AHIDF and NLM; update and implement the National Action Plan and CMP.
Key Entities Referenced
African Swine Fever: A highly contagious viral disease affecting domestic and wild pigs, causing high mortality rates.
Assam: A state in Northeast India significantly affected by African Swine Fever.
Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying: A department under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India, responsible for policies and programs related to livestock health and disease control.
Assistance to States for Control of Animal Diseases: A component of the Livestock Health Disease Control Program providing financial assistance to states for animal disease control.
Livestock Health Disease Control Program: A program aimed at controlling and preventing livestock diseases in India.
National Action Plan on African Swine Fever: A plan formulated in 2020 for the prevention, control, and containment of African Swine Fever in India.
Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund: A fund under National Livestock Mission (NLM) to provide support for establishing breed improvement and multiplication farms for pigs.
National Livestock Mission: A program aimed at sustainable development of the livestock sector.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 300
TO BE ANSWERED ON 22ND JULY, 2025
IMPACT OF AFRICAN SWINE FEVER ON ASSAM'S PIG
300. SHRI GAURAV GOGOI
Will the Minister of FISHERIES ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
मत्स्यपालन, पशुपालन और डेयरी मंत्री
be pleased to State:
(a) whether the government is aware that African Swine Fever has reduced Assam's pig
population by over eight lakh during the last five years;
(b) If so, the assistance being provided to affected farmers and backyard piggery units in Assam;
(c) whether the Government has any plans to assist the State Government in disease control,
vaccination development, or restocking of healthy pig populations; and
(d) the steps being taken to prevent further outbreaks and protect livelihoods in the pig-rearing
sector in the State?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
(PROF. S.P. SINGH BAGHEL)
(a) As per the information received from the State of Assam, during the last five years, 44596
pigs have died due to African Swine Fever (ASF)and 8295 pigs have been culled to prevent
the spread of the disease.
(b) Department under Assistance to States for Control of Animal Diseases (ASCAD) of
Livestock Health & Disease Control Program (LHDCP) provided compensation of Rs.
225.00 lakh for culling as per the demand of State on sharing basis to compensate the affected
pig owners. Further, the State has informed that 344 farmers were compensated against
culling of their pigs during last five years.
(c) and (d) Measures taken by the Department are as under:
i. National Action Plan on African Swine Fever (ASF) has been formulated during 2020
for Prevention, Control and Containment of African Swine Fever (ASF)
incorporating measures such as movement control, stamping out pigs within a 1 km
infected zone, cleaning and disinfection, restrictions on pig feeding, limitations on
pork meat, and enhanced surveillance including bio security measures before andduring the outbreak of disease. Advisories are issued to the States including meetings
and visit of Central Team.
ii. The Crisis Management Plan (CMP) for livestock disease was prepared in 2024,
outlining a structured approach for managing and treating outbreaks. It includes
scientific methods for carcass disposal, particularly of pigs, and details measures for
swift containment, mitigation and reduction of pandemic risks through effective
prevention and control strategies.
iii. Under Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund (AHIDF) of NLM,
support is provided for setting up of breed improvement/breed multiplication farm for
Pigs as per the guidelines, which include loan upto 90% from lending organizations.
Also, National Livestock Mission (NLM)-Entrepreneurship Development
Programme (EDP), provides 50% capital subsidy for establishment of pig farm as per
the guidelines. Total 13 project with project cost of Rs. 7.67 crore have been approved
under EDP and the fund of Rs 1.3 crore has been approved for 6 projects for the State
of Assam.
iv. As communicated by the State of Assam, a joint DBT research project of College of
Veterinary Science, Guwahati, IIT, Guwahati and Guru Angad Dev Veterinary &
Animal Science University, Ludhiana has been initiated in respect to diagnosis,
epidemiology and vaccine development. At present, there is no vaccine available for
ASF.
v. The State of Assam is supporting the pig farmers by distributing animals of high
genetic merit under a project "Pig Revolution in Assam through Animals of high
genetic merit (PRAtahm)".
vi. States/UTs are financially supported for establishment and strengthening of
laboratories, research & innovation, capacity building and training on topics like
Good Animal Husbandry Practices, biosecurity/sanitary measures, vector control etc.
During 2024-25 the State of Assam had been provided a fund of rupees 377.885 lakhs
under ASCAD.
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