Clicky
Editorial

Barriers to livestock sector development

Take necessary steps to reduce production cost


Bangladeshpost
Published : 18 May 2022 09:29 PM

Bangladesh has the huge scope to boom its meat export across the world and grab a large share of global halal meat market. However, it is discouraging to learn that in spite of having huge production capacity, Bangladesh have not been able to exploit the potential of exporting red meat due to the absence of export agreements with foreign countries and lack of international quality certificate. 

The number of cattle farms in the country has been increasing at an average rate of 15 per cent to 20 per cent per annum. We have come to know that after India stopped exporting cattle to Bangladesh in 2014, the government encouraged rearing cows and goats to meet the demand for meat in the country. Also, the government has devised a number of initiatives to identify the barriers and fix them to increase meat production. 

In order to make our livestock industry export-worthy 

and export-friendly, there is a need for assisting the

 local industry in ensuring 

better management practices

However, comparing to most of the meat exporting countries, still cattle production is costly due to higher cost of animal feed in Bangladesh. We cannot sell meat at the price at which neighbouring countries export it as our production costs are higher. As a result most of the Middle Eastern nations import meat from countries like India, Pakistan and Myanmar. Therefore, in order to take a hold in the price competition, we must take necessary steps to control the prices of cattle feed alongside raising the number of cattle stocks for increasing the meat export.

We need to establish a body for certifying the entire process of meat production. Also, there is a need for establishing some areas as industrial zones where the bio-security and other international practices will be ensured. It will help give the global market a positive message about Bangladesh’s livestock industry and raise meat export.

The government should take urgent initiatives to fix the barriers Bangladesh is facing in export of red meat. It is time to go for government-to-government (G2G) agreement with foreign countries for exporting frozen livestock meat.  In order to make our livestock industry export-worthy and export-friendly, there is a need for assisting the local industry in ensuring better management practices.