ZCCI has urged the Nagaland government to introduce a Pig Insurance Scheme to protect farmers from recurring losses due to African Swine Flu.
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DIMAPUR — The Zunheboto Chamber of Commerce and Industries (ZCCI) has requested the department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services to introduce a dedicated insurance scheme for pigs in the wake of frequent outbreak of African Swine Flu in the state.
In a representation addressed to the director of the department, the ZCCI expressed concern that the disease has severely impacted the livelihood of thousands of households who depend on piggery as their primary source of income.
“It is a custom of almost the entire households to rear pigs. Many families primarily depend on the source of income accrued from market sale of pigs.
Over the past few years, the constant disruption by the flu endemic on the primary means of income has drastically destroyed the economy of several households particularly the poor leaving their lives helpless and precarious,” it stated.
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The memorandum further noted that while the Chief Minister’s Micro Finance Scheme had encouraged entrepreneurship, particularly in piggery projects, most farms have now become non-viable due to recurring losses.
The situation has been worsened by the financial burden of EMIs borne by farmers who had availed loans under the scheme, it added.
Highlighting the absence of vaccines or a cure for the African Swine Flu, the ZCCI urged the department to take immediate steps by collaborating with insurance companies to roll out a pig insurance scheme.