India accounted for 22% of the global burden of food insecurity, the highest for any country, in 2017-19. Overall economic distress has marked a deep agrarian crisis, falling down investments across the agriculture sector and shrinking employment opportunities has caused major food security challenges.

Rural women, the key players in the country’s agriculture sector are facing dual challenge both at the field and house level. In North Eastern states, agriculture is a predominant livelihood and women are mainly engaged in agriculture and allied activities.

Hailing from the Chhingchhip village in the Serchhip district of Mizoram, Lalmalsawmsaki had only a pineapple garden as a source of sustenance for her five-member family. The whole year of hard work and labour could only get her Rs 50,000 annually from her pineapple garden which was not sufficient to meet the ends. Despite the difficulties, she wanted to give her children a good future and proper education.

Lalmalsawmsaki decided to try her hand on piggery to contribute to the family’s meagre income. The scope for piggery production has high potential among tribal people of the North-Eastern region, because of the food habits and climate. It not only contributes to the livelihood security of the rural masses but also plays an important role in improving the socio-economic status of the tribal population and weaker section of the society

In August 2019, Lalmalsawmsaki purchased a female pig worth Rs 6,500 from her savings. Challenges followed Lalmalsawmsaki here as well. Due to the pandemic, movements were restricted inside the state as well as villages. She struggled hard to arrange feeds for the pig. Due to lack of money, she could not afford to buy the feed from the stores. She used to collect green leaves from the jungle or ask neighbours for leftovers.

Caritas India FARM Northeast III project team witnessed her struggle and passion for pig farming. Zoram Entu Pawl (ZEP), a local partner of Caritas India India in Mizoram helped Lalmalsawmsaki by linking her to the North East Initiative Development Agency (NEIDA), a not-for-profit organisation promoted by the Tata Trusts to improve the quality of lives of communities in the North-eastern states of Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram and Nagaland. The organization helped her with the construction materials to build pigsty.

“Lalmalsawmsaki was struggling in those days and we as a team decided to extend some monetary support to her to sustain her pig farming,” said Samuel Zothantluanga, Project Coordinator, ZEP. Lalmalsawmsaki continued working hard and ZEP provided her with the technical support required for pig farming from time to time with the help of the Department of AH & Veterinary.

In May 2020, the pig had given birth to 13 offsprings. “I was so happy to see my hard work shaping to results,” said Lalmalsawmsaki. However, the then situation did not allow Lalmalsawmsaki to keep all the 13 piglets as she could not afford to feed them all. She sold 12 of them and earned ­­­­­­­­Rs 84,000. With this amount, she purchased two more pig sows and 4 piglets which extended the numbers in her pigsty. It is estimated that one pig sow gives birth at least 10 offsprings twice a year. It is worth mentioning that the demand for the supply of pork is very high in Mizoram and the supply of pork is very less.

As of date, Lalmalsawmsaki has earned Rs 2,66,500 and it is increasing. “It has been a tough journey through many challenges but at the end of the day I can see family’s income growth and that makes me happy,” said Lalmalsawmsaki. She also borrowed a soft loan and expanded her pigsty to increase her pigs. ZEP’s linkage with AH and Veterinary Department helped her to access medicines for her pigs.

According to Samuel Zothantluanga, Lalmalsawmsaki’s success has inspired at least 10 more families and ZEP is trying to replicate such a model in other project villages as well. Lalmalsawmsaki is now a part of the farmer club’s where she shares her experiences and knowledge on pig farming to motivate others.