Cattle farmers face extortions on their way to Dhaka

Anisur Rahman Khan :
Most of the cattle farmers who grow their cattle ahead of various festivals including Eid-u-Fitr and Eid-up-Azha to make some profit now alleged that they are being victims of extortions of Tk1.5 lakh for per truck at different points to their final destination to Gabtoli cattle market.
Apart from this, the cattle farmers have also claimed that they are not getting fair price of their products due to high cost of fodders.
In view of such sufferings, Bangladesh Dairy Farmers Association (BDFA) has taken an initiative to establish ‘Farmers’ Markets’ at different regions to stop recurrence of extortions and to make beef, meat and other dairy products available to consumers at affordable prices.
To implement the initiative, the dairy farmers association demanded separate market places or shops at different places in Dhaka. The association also demanded support from the two city corporations as well as the government to materialise the idea.
Once the markets are established, the farmers will be able to sell beef, meat, milk, cheese, ghee and curd and other dairy products at affordable prices to consumers. The consumers will be able to buy safe dairy products, and it would free the buyers and sellers of dairy products from the extortionists and middlemen.
Dairy farm leaders said that they have begun discussions with the city corporations about the proposal of establishing ‘Farmers’ Markets’ as they exists in the European Union, the United States and other developed countries.
According to official statistics, some 1.22 crore sacrificial animals, including 55 lakh cows, were ready before the last Eid-ul-Azha compared to potential demand of 98 lakh animals. In 2021, out of 46 lakh cows available for sale for sacrifice, 38 lakh were sold. In 2020, out of 55 lakh cows available for sale, 46 lakh was sold.
According to the statistics of the dairy farmers’ association, at least eight to nine lakh cows remained unsold in last two years.
There should be some mechanism to sell these cattle after Eid, and Farmers’ Market alone could facilitate selling these cattle at reasonable prices to the consumers.
BDFA statistics shows that there are around 17 lakh dairy farms across the country. Farmer’s said that the lessees of the cattle markets usually extort the farmers.
And most of the lessees don’t give receipts for the extra money they take from the cattle farmers.
However, the meat traders usually try to pay less and cover up losses by selling hides. But, as the hide price is too less in the country, they need to find other ways to cover up. Some meat traders sell live animals to customers instead of selling meat to cover up losses.
Under the joint initiative of Bangladesh Dairy Farmers Association and the Department of Livestock Services (DLS), meat, beef, dressed chicken meat, milk and eggs are sold at ‘cheaper prices’ at various places in the capital during Ramzan.
At these sales centres, beef is sold at Tk 640 per kg against the market price of Tk 750 per kg, mutton at Tk940 per kg against its market price of Tk1,100, dressed broiler chicken at Tk340 per kg, milk at Tk80 per litre against its market price of Tk90 and eggs at Tk10 per piece against its market price of Tk12.
In 2022, beef was sold at Tk550 per kg, mutton t at Tk800, dressed broiler at Tk200 per kg, milk at Tk60 per litre and four pieces of eggs at Tk30 (per piece Tk7.50).
According to the statement of BDFA till 24th Ramzan, a total of 45 tonnes of beef, three tonnes of mutton, 9.60 lakh pieces of eggs, 30 tonnes of dressed broiler chicken and 5,000 litres of milk were sold at these centres.
While talking to this correspondent, cattle farmer Md Rahim Mia of Rangpur, said that he buys cows from local market to sell them at Gabtoli Cattle Market in the capital every year usually for Eid-ul-Azha. Before the last Eid, he had to pay around Tk1.5 lakh per truck to extortionists at various points on way to the Gabtoli Cattle Market. “It’s too much for a farmer. It should be stopped.”
Bangladesh Dairy Farmers Association President Imran Hossain told this correspondent, “Farmers’ Markets are there in the European Union and other developed countries. The farmers or growers directly supply their products to the farmers market.
“We, the farmers in Bangladesh, will also supply cows and goats directly to the farmers market and sell beef, mutton, chicken, eggs and milk to consumers there,” Imran said, adding, “Not only mutton, beef, milk, cheese, curd, ghee but also other dairy products could be sold at farmers market.”
Dhaka North City Corporation Chief Executive Officer Salim Reza told The New Nation, “We welcome the cattle farmers and will always support such initiative.”