Massive Crop Destruction Hits Mizoram Farmers
Agricultural communities across Mizoram are facing unprecedented losses as a rare natural phenomenon has triggered a rodent population explosion, devastating farmlands throughout the state. Official data reveals that at least 5,317 farmers across Mizoram's 11 districts have suffered significant damage to their expected harvest this year.
The crisis stems from the gregarious flowering of 'bambusa tulda', locally known as 'rawthing', which occurs in a cycle of every 48 years. This phenomenon, called 'thingtam' by local communities, has created ideal conditions for rodent populations to multiply rapidly, leading to widespread destruction of crops.
District-Wise Impact and Damage Assessment
The agricultural department's comprehensive survey shows that the rodent infestation has affected 180 villages across Mizoram, with swarms of rodents devastating 1,723 hectares of cultivation areas. The overall crop loss stands at a staggering 42.06% of the expected harvest for the affected farmers.
Mamit district, which borders Bangladesh, has been hit hardest in terms of the number of families affected. Official records indicate that 2,009 families in Mamit district have suffered crop losses, with damage estimated at approximately 60% of their expected yield.
South Mizoram's Lunglei district follows closely with 1,071 farming families affected, experiencing an even higher crop reduction rate of 60.70%. While Hnahthial district reported fewer affected families at only 110, the percentage of crop loss there is the most severe at 82.9% - the highest in the state.
Saitual district, bordering Manipur, has also suffered significantly with 63.40% of expected harvest destroyed for 313 farming families. The widespread nature of the damage highlights the severity of this ecological event.
Response Measures and Ecological Background
State agriculture and farmers' welfare department officials have been coordinating response efforts with village council leaders and farmers. Mass poisoning campaigns against rodents have been organized in most affected villages, resulting in the collection of at least 32,375 dead rats from areas where the poisoning was implemented.
However, resistance emerged in 18 villages where community leaders and farmers rejected mass poisoning due to concerns about contamination of paddy fields and nearby water streams.
The gregarious flowering of 'rawthing' began in February 2024 at Hriphaw village in Mamit district and later spread to Vaisam in Lunglei district and multiple other villages across Mamit and Aizawl districts. In 2025 alone, this phenomenon has been witnessed in 147 villages, indicating the continuing nature of the crisis.
This isn't the first ecological disturbance to affect the region. Before the full-scale 'thingtam' hit the state, outbreaks of 'thangnang' or stinky bugs (Udonga montana) had been reported from many areas. Last year, villages including Kanghmun, Hriphaw, Tuipuibari, Rawpuichhip, and Tachhip witnessed these outbreaks across 46 villages, except in Champhai district and adjoining Khawzawl district.
Mizoram is home to at least 20 species of bamboo, with 'Mautak' or Melocanna baccifera comprising 95% of the state's bamboo population. Other significant bamboo species include Phulrua, Rawnal, and Rawthing. The fruit of 'Rawthing' resembles paddy grain in size and appearance, with approximately 150-190 grains in each bunch.
While paddy remains the major crop devastated by rats across the state, officials confirm that other essential crops including maize, sugarcane, cow pea, ginger, eggplant, chilli, pumpkin, sesame, and cucumber have also been damaged in various affected areas.
