Rodent infestation affects over 5,000 farmers across Mizoram

More than 5,000 farmers across Mizoram have lost an estimated 42 per cent of their harvest this year due to rodent infestation, an official of the Agriculture Department said on Tuesday.

Rodent infestation, triggered by the gregarious flowering of a bamboo species called ‘Bambusa Tulda’, has destroyed over 1,700 hectares of cultivation in 180 villages in all 11 districts of the state, Deputy Director (Plant Protection) Lalrindiki said.

The infestation has affected 5,317 farmers, who lost 42.06 per cent of their crops, she said. “The outbreak is more or less contained due to mass poisoning drives and other preventive measures. The rodent population has also steadily declined as the harvesting period is over,” she added.

Lalrindiki said the north-western Mamit district, which shares borders with Bangladesh and Tripura, was the worst hit with 2,009 families affected by the infestation and the loss of crops was estimated at 60 per cent.

Mamit is followed by Lunglei district in the southern part of the state, where 1,071 farmers lost 60.70 per cent of their crops, she said.

In terms of crop destruction, Hnahthial district suffered the worst as 110 farmers lost 82.9 per cent of their crops, she said.