Aizawl, October 12, 2025 — The Mizoram rodent crop damage crisis has forced the state government to seek urgent Central aid. Officials want the Union government to declare the rodent attack on crops a state-specific disaster so that emergency funds can reach affected farmers quickly.
Thousands of hectares of farmland have been destroyed. Farmers are now facing serious losses in paddy, maize, and stored grains, especially in hilly districts. The government fears that without Central intervention, the damage will push many rural families into financial hardship.
Rodent Infestation Wreaks Havoc on Mizoram’s Fields
Districts such as Champhai, Mamit, and Serchhip have reported the worst losses. Rats have invaded both standing crops and food storage areas, causing widespread anxiety in villages that depend heavily on agriculture.
Agriculture Minister C. Lalrinsanga confirmed that the state had written to the Union Home Ministry and the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare. “We have appealed to the Centre to recognize this outbreak as a state-specific disaster. Only then can Mizoram access national disaster funds,” he said.
Many farmers have already left their villages in search of temporary work. Others are surviving on local food supplies provided by the state. Despite community-led pest-control drives, the scale of infestation remains alarming.
Mizoram Seeks Recognition Under Disaster Management Act
Under the Disaster Management Act, 2005, events like floods and droughts qualify for Central assistance. However, rodent infestations are not yet recognized as natural disasters. This limits Mizoram’s ability to use funds from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) or the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF).
State officials argue that the Mizoram rodent crop damage must be treated as a recurring ecological disaster. Similar outbreaks have struck the state every few decades, often linked to bamboo flowering. If Delhi approves the proposal, Mizoram could receive funds to compensate farmers, restock seeds, and improve pest-control programs.
Recurring Challenge: Rodents and Bamboo Flowering
The current crisis is reminiscent of the Mautam events in 1958–59 and 2007–08, when rats multiplied after feeding on bamboo seeds. Once those seeds disappeared, they turned to food crops, creating near-famine conditions.
Experts from the ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region say this year’s situation is linked to localized bamboo flowering and favorable breeding conditions. Forest clearing and climate changes have pushed rodents closer to croplands, worsening the outbreak.
“Without timely measures, the damage could continue into the next planting season,” warned an ICAR scientist based in Aizawl.
State Relief Actions Begin While Awaiting Central Decision
The Mizoram Disaster Management Authority (MDMA) has already begun distributing rodent traps, chemical baits, and emergency rice to affected households. Teams from the agriculture department are conducting field assessments to estimate crop losses.
While the Central government has acknowledged Mizoram’s appeal, an official decision is still pending. In the meantime, Village Disaster Management Committees are leading local control operations. They are using traditional bamboo traps and encouraging collective storage of food grains to reduce losses.
“Our priority is to ensure food security until the next harvest,” said a senior MDMA official.
Experts Suggest Long-Term Rodent Management Plan
Researchers and agricultural scientists believe that sustainable pest-control programs are crucial. They recommend habitat management, early-warning systems, and community participation to predict and contain future outbreaks.
Dr. Lalthanzara from Mizoram University’s Zoology Department suggested that rodent-monitoring teams be formed at village levels. “Monitoring and awareness can stop the next outbreak before it begins,” he said.
Officials also stress that collaboration between farmers, scientists, and local councils will help develop pest-resistant crop varieties and safer storage facilities.
A Call for Central Recognition and Support
The Mizoram rodent crop damage has once again revealed the vulnerabilities of small farmers in the Northeast. Declaring it a state-specific disaster would mark a significant policy shift for India’s disaster management framework.
If approved, Mizoram would become the first state to gain national disaster recognition for a rodent-related crisis. Such a move could set a precedent for other northeastern states facing similar ecological challenges.
Until then, farmers across Mizoram wait for relief — hoping Delhi’s approval will bring much-needed assistance and restore their confidence in the coming planting season.
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