Scientific Care of Rawhides Can Create Jobs and Increase Foreign Exchange

Cattle rawhides are the most important ingredients for final products as leather shoes, bags & other exportable products from Bangladesh.

Cattle rawhides are one of the most valuable industrial resources in Bangladesh.

From a single cowhide, hundreds of leather and by-products can be manufactured after tanning and finishing.

The leather sector of Bangladesh mainly produces footwear leather, bags, belts, garments, upholstery leather, and many industrial goods.

Broadly, products made from cattle rawhides in Bangladesh can be divided into the following major categories: no-1) Footwear Products-Shoes, Sandals, Boots, Slippers, Shoe uppers, Shoe lining, Safety shoes, Sports shoes etc. 2) Fashion & Personal Leather Goods-Handbags, Wallets, Purses, Belts, Passport covers, Card holders, Vanity bags, Mobile covers, Watch straps, Key rings etc.-these are often called “small leather goods.” 3) Garments & Wearables-Leather jackets, Coats, Gloves, Caps, Aprons, Protective clothing. 4) Travel & Office Products- Suitcases, Trolley bags, Backpacks, Briefcases, Laptop bags, File covers, Document holders. 5) Furniture & Upholstery-Sofa covers, Car seat covers, Cushion covers, Office chair coverings, Decorative upholstery leather, Bangladesh also exports upholstery leather for furniture industries abroad.

It can also be divided into the following categories: 6) Industrial & Utility Products-Machine belts, Industrial gloves, Tool holders, Sports equipment leather, Saddlery products, Harnesses. 7) Sports Goods-Footballs, Cricket ball leather, Boxing gloves, Gym accessories. 8. Musical & Traditional Items-Drum skins, Traditional musical instrument coverings, Craft items. 9) Decorative & Handicraft Products-Wall mats, Leather flowers, Showpieces, Handmade crafts, Jewelry accessories. 10) By-Products from Rawhide Processing-Even the waste portions of cattle hides are commercially useful as Gelatin, Glue, Animal feed ingredients, Bone meal, Horn crafts, Pet chew products, Fertilizer ingredients.

Bangladesh loses a significant amount of potential income when these by-products are not properly processed.

In total, cattle rawhides can contribute to producing hundreds of finished and semi-finished products.

Generally, these products are grouped into: Footwear, Leather goods, Garments, Upholstery, Industrial products, Handicrafts, By-products industries.

If we cannot preserve them scientifically, we will lose national & international market.

Full description-Rawhideis one of the most valuable natural resources in an agrarian country like Bangladesh, where millions of cattle are slaughtered every year, especially during the festival of Eid-ul-Azha.

Proper scientific processing of rawhides plays a vital role in preserving quality, increasing export earnings, creating employment opportunities, and supporting industrial development.

Without scientific methods, a large portion of hides and skins becomes damaged, causing huge economic losses every year.

Scientific processing of rawhides should begin immediately after the animal is slaughtered.

If the hide is not preserved properly, bacteria quickly attack it and create putrefaction, bad odor, and permanent damage.

Through scientific preservation methods such as salting, drying, and temperature control, the quality of rawhide can be maintained for a long time.

This ensures that the leather produced later becomes suitable for making high-quality products.

The leather industry depends greatly on the quality of rawhide. Good quality hides produce premium leather that can compete in the international market.

Scientific processing helps remove unwanted substances like blood, fat, and hair in a controlled manner and prepares the hide for tanning.

Modern tanning technology also reduces wastage and improves durability, softness, and beauty of leather products.

As a result, countries can earn more foreign currency through leather exports. Anotherimportant aspect of scientific rawhide processing is environmental protection.

Traditional and unplanned leather processing often pollutes rivers, soil, and air with harmful chemicals.

Scientific methods introduce eco-friendly treatment systems, waste recycling, and proper chemical management. Effluent Treatment Plants (ETP) can reduce water pollution and protect public health.

Thus, scientific processing helps maintain both industrial growth and environmental balance.

Scientific processing also creates employment opportunities for skilled workers, leather technologists, chemists, engineers, and factory workers.

It encourages research, innovation, and technical education in the leather sector.

In a developing country like Bangladesh, this industry can become a strong pillar of economic progress if modern technology and scientific knowledge are properly applied.

Moreover, scientific preservation reduces post-slaughter losses. Many rawhides become partially damaged because of careless handling, poor storage, and lack of awareness among traders and butchers.

Proper training and scientific management can save millions of taka every year and increase the value of leather products.

Scientific processing of rawhides is extremely important for economic development, export growth, environmental safety, and employment generation.

By adopting modern scientific methods, Bangladesh can fully utilize its huge livestock resources and strengthen its position in the global leather market.

Proper care and scientific management of rawhides can truly transform the leather industry into a powerful engine of national development.

Bangladesh also has the opportunity to become a leading global leather goods exporter because of its abundant raw materials and comparatively low labor costs.

Leather sector is considered one of the major export-earning industries of Bangladesh after the garment sector, and proper utilization of cattle rawhides can create huge employment opportunities, foreign exchange earnings, and industrial growth.

Rawhides of sacrificed cattle must be processed carefully to ensure they retain their value as a raw material for leather production, prevent rapid putrefaction, and minimize economic losses due to damage.

Proper handling ensures the hides can be converted into high-quality leather for footwear, upholstery, and fashion accessories, rather than becoming worthless waste

(The writer: M.S.S. (Economics), columnist & freelancer,
can be reached at: E-mail:
creativewritermuzibur@gmail.com)