The northeastern state of Mizoram has registered surge in rodent attacks, an infestation which has severely affected crops along 572 hectares of paddy fields.
According to the Director of Agriculture Department – James Lalsiamliana, Mamit and Lunglei stands to be the worst-affected districts.
In Mamit District, 255.7 hectares of paddy fields from 19 villages have been affected followed by Lunglei district where 198 hactares of paddy fields covering 28 villages have been affected.
As per officials from the concerned department, the increase in rodent population began in the month of August, following the flowering of the “Dendrocalamus” species of bamboo.
Lalremsiama also mentioned that the intensity of rodent attacks varies from 0.5% to 10%. While, Mualthum N in Lunglei district and Tuirum of Mamit district respectively observed a total destruction of a single jhum paddy field by rodents.
Furthermore, the distribution and trainings on the uses of Rodenticides – viz Zinc Phosphite and Roban; and awareness campaigns on rodent control have also been carried out by the agriculture department since August, 2022.
Its worthy to note that on September 28, 2022, the Serchhip District Agriculture Department initiated a massive rodent control drive using Zinc Phosphite and Roban among 68 families of Serchhip Zawlpui Zau.
