MAPPFA demands immediate setting up of slaughterhouse

IMPHAL — Manipur Progressive Pig Farmers’ Association (MAPPFA) has demanded immediate setting up of a slaughterhouse in the state without delay.

Addressing media persons on Sunday, the executive members of MAPPFA informed that Manipur has, in the recent past, lost 90 per cent of the pig population due to African swine fever (ASF).

The executive members of MAPPFA also urged the state authority to provide necessary compensation to those farmers who have lost their pigs.

“Otherwise no one will come to take up piggery in Manipur in the coming years as the concerned authorities have not yet provided the compensation for those pigs that died in the last outbreak of ASF in the state,” said MAPPFA joint secretary L Vidyasagar Singh.

It may be mentioned that the ASF outbreak was detected earlier at a piggery farm in Manipur’s Kamjong district in June last year. The ASF was also detected in January 2021.

As per the 20th Livestock Census, 2019, Manipur has a total population of 2,35,255 pigs comprising 27,483 exotic/crossbred, 2,07,767 non-descript breeds and five indigenous breeds.

The association appealed to the masses not to import sick pigs from outside the state. MAPPFA functionaries further appealed for disposing of the carcasses of pigs as per the government guidelines, and asked the farmers not to throw dead pigs into the water bodies, rivers or drains, to avoid further spread of the disease.

Even as the government has been putting all possible efforts to contain the outbreak of ASF, several carcasses of pigs have been found floating at Yangoi Maril, a water channel at the mouth of Nambul River, which enters Loktak Lake, in the last few days.

The fishermen have reportedly spotted about 10 pig carcasses floating near the bridge at Yangoi Karong Ibudhou Yangoi Ningthou in Toubul area in Bishnupur district.

It may be mentioned that the ASF was detected on pigs of Central Agricultural University, Eroisemba, in Manipur’s Imphal West district in the second week of October this year.

Since then, the ASF has been detected at pig farms in other districts including Imphal West, Imphal East, Ukhrul, Bishnupur, Thoubal, Kakching and Kamjong.

Also read: Ethnic violence hit Manipur now battling African Swine Fever