Shillong: India launched its first indigenous vaccine against African Swine Fever, marking an end to years of rural economic devastation. Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced the breakthrough. The disease has plagued the Northeast since 2020. Pork production remains a vital source of income and food security in the region.
Outbreaks killed thousands of animals. Mortality rates hit 100 percent. Farmers in Mizoram lost an estimated Rs 982 crore across 11,300 households. Assam reported losses of Rs 276 crore. This virus functioned like the livestock version of COVID-19.
Scientists at the ICAR-National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases in Bhopal developed the live-attenuated vaccine. They used the MA-104 cell line to cut production costs. This makes the drug affordable for rural farmers compared to expensive, patented versions from Vietnam. The vaccine is for healthy pigs over eight weeks old. Farmers must provide a 1 mL intramuscular injection and a booster 14 days later.
Dr. ML Jat, Director General of ICAR, said the development "reflects India’s growing scientific capability to develop world-class animal health solutions" and strengthens national food security. The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying validated the field trials. Success now depends on the cold chain reaching remote hill districts before the next seasonal outbreak hits.
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