India Launches First Indigenous African Swine Fever Vaccine in Major Biotech Breakthrough

India has achieved a historic milestone in veterinary biotechnology with ICAR-NIHSAD, Bhopal, developing the country's first indigenous vaccine for African Swine Fever (ASF). Officially dedicated to the nation by Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, the live attenuated vaccine is produced using the widely accessible MA-104 cell line. This offers a highly scalable, cost-effective alternative to expensive proprietary manufacturing platforms, reducing India's reliance on foreign technology. Since ASF’s arrival in India in 2020, severe outbreaks have devastated the pig farming sector, resulting in hundreds of crores in losses, particularly across Assam and Mizoram. To combat this, the new vaccine has successfully cleared rigorous testing—including safety, purity, immunogenicity, and field validation—and is administered via a two-dose intramuscular regimen for pigs older than eight weeks. Beyond safeguarding the livelihoods of pig farmers in the heavily impacted North-Eastern region, this breakthrough marks a significant advancement for India's livestock biosecurity and the Atmanirbhar Bharat vision. By dramatically curbing swine mortality and mitigating economic risks, the vaccine provides a solid foundation for the sustainable growth of domestic livestock farming. Furthermore, the capability to mass-produce an affordable ASF vaccine elevates India into an elite group of nations with native ASF biotechnology. This positions the country as a potential global exporter of low-cost animal health solutions while fortifying its agricultural resilience, scientific ecosystem, and long-term food security.