New Delhi, August 4, 2026: 

In a landmark achievement for India's veterinary research and livestock sector, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has developed the country's first indigenous MA-104 cell line-based live attenuated vaccine against African Swine Fever (ASF). The vaccine was dedicated to the nation by Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, in the presence of Union Minister Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh, during the ICAR Foundation Day celebrations.

The indigenous vaccine, developed by ICAR–National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (ICAR-NIHSAD), Bhopal, represents a significant step towards Atmanirbhar Bharat in veterinary vaccine development. The innovation is expected to enhance India's animal health security while positioning the country as a potential global supplier of affordable African Swine Fever vaccines.

African Swine Fever (ASF) is one of the world's most destructive transboundary animal diseases affecting domestic and wild pigs. The viral disease is characterized by high fever, severe haemorrhages and mortality rates that can reach nearly 100 percent. Since its first detection in India in 2020, ASF has spread across several states and union territories, causing extensive pig mortality, disrupting pig production and trade, and severely affecting the livelihoods of smallholder pig farmers, particularly in the North-Eastern region.

The economic consequences of ASF outbreaks have been substantial. In Assam, outbreaks during 2020 and 2021 resulted in estimated losses of approximately ₹276 crore due to pig mortality and culling. In Mizoram, the disease reportedly affected more than 11,382 households up to 2025, causing financial losses of nearly ₹982 crore. Until now, disease management has relied primarily on rapid diagnosis, culling of infected animals and strict biosecurity measures due to the absence of an effective commercial vaccine in India.

Scientists at ICAR-NIHSAD developed the vaccine using a novel attenuated ASF Virus Genotype II with unique gene deletions in the MA-104 cell line, enabling efficient large-scale production. The vaccine has successfully completed extensive laboratory evaluations, including sterility, purity, safety, genetic stability, immunogenicity, protective efficacy and virulence reversion studies.

The vaccine was also field-validated in collaboration with the Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying (DAHD), Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, confirming its safety and effectiveness under field conditions. It is recommended for healthy pigs above eight weeks of age and is administered as a 1 mL intramuscular injection, followed by a booster dose after 14 days.

The indigenous vaccine is expected to significantly reduce pig mortality, minimise economic losses and improve the livelihoods of pig farmers across India. By providing an effective preventive tool against African Swine Fever, the vaccine will strengthen the country's disease preparedness and support the sustainable growth of the pig farming sector.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. M.L. Jat, Secretary, Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE) and Director General, ICAR, described the achievement as the beginning of a new era in veterinary science. He stated that the breakthrough reflects India's growing scientific capabilities in developing world-class animal health solutions and will pave the way for future indigenous vaccines and innovative technologies to strengthen livestock health, disease preparedness, food security and national biosecurity.

Unlike the few commercially licensed ASF vaccines currently available in Vietnam, which rely on patented proprietary cell lines, the vaccine developed by ICAR-NIHSAD uses the widely available MA-104 cell line. This technological advancement eliminates dependence on proprietary manufacturing platforms, facilitates large-scale production and substantially reduces manufacturing costs, making the vaccine more affordable and accessible.

The development marks a major milestone in India's efforts to build a self-reliant animal healthcare ecosystem while enhancing the resilience of the country's livestock sector against emerging infectious diseases.

Source: Press Information Bureau (PIB), Government of India.