Indian Economy News

Indigenous African Swine Fever (ASF) Vaccine Developed by ICAR Bolsters India's Biosecurity

India has achieved a major milestone in veterinary biotechnology with the development of its first indigenous African Swine Fever (ASF) vaccine by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research-National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (ICAR-NIHSAD), Bhopal. Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Mr. Shivraj Singh Chouhan dedicated the vaccine to the nation during the ICAR Foundation Day celebrations in the presence of Union Minister Mr. Rajiv Ranjan Singh. Developed using the widely available MA-104 cell line, the live attenuated vaccine provides a cost-effective and scalable alternative to proprietary manufacturing platforms, enabling large-scale domestic production while reducing dependence on imported technologies. Since African Swine Fever was first detected in India in 2020, outbreaks have caused significant losses to the pig farming sector, including an estimated Rs. 276 crore (US$ 29.56 million) in Assam during 2020-21 and around Rs. 982 crore (US$ 105.16 million) in Mizoram up to 2025. The vaccine has successfully completed laboratory evaluations covering sterility, purity, safety, genetic stability, immunogenicity, protective efficacy and virulence reversion studies, followed by field validation in collaboration with the Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying.

The indigenous vaccine is expected to substantially reduce pig mortality, minimise economic losses and strengthen the livelihoods of pig farmers, particularly in the North-Eastern region where ASF outbreaks have been most severe. Recommended for pigs above eight weeks of age, the vaccine is administered through a 1 mL intramuscular injection followed by a booster dose after 14 days. By strengthening disease preparedness and livestock biosecurity, the innovation supports the sustainable growth of India's pig farming sector while reinforcing the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat. The breakthrough also positions India among the few countries with indigenous African Swine Fever vaccine capabilities, creating opportunities to emerge as a global supplier of affordable veterinary vaccines while strengthening the country's biotechnology ecosystem, livestock health security and agricultural resilience.

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