Nongpoh, June 12: As pig deaths continue to rise across Ri Bhoi District in recent days, many pig farmers have suffered heavy losses due to the spread of the African Swine Fever (ASF) outbreak. According to information gathered from pig farmers in the district, hundreds of pigs have died as a result of the disease.
It may be recalled that recently, the government, through the Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, issued public advisories and preventive measures to contain the spread of the disease and protect other pigs. This came after ASF cases were detected in East Jaintia Hills, West Khasi Hills, and particularly in Ri Bhoi District, where the impact has been more severe.
During interaction with pig farmers in Ri Bhoi, it was found that some farmers had lost between 60 and 70 pigs due to the outbreak, while others reported losses ranging from one to ten pigs.
Information collected from pig farmers in Lumnongrim Dewlieh and Nongthymmai revealed that the situation is especially serious in Nongthymmai. One farmer reportedly lost as many as 70 pigs, while another lost around 60 pigs to the disease.
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When asked about the cause of the pig deaths, the affected farmers alleged that the outbreak was brought in by imported white pigs from outside the state. They said the disease has severely affected their livelihoods, particularly those who depend entirely on pig farming for their income, resulting in substantial financial losses.
