In the remote Char areas of Gaibandha, the destitute pastoralists have found a lifeline in cattle rearing, changing their fortunes. Battling frequent natural disasters such as floods, droughts, and river erosions, these resilient communities have turned to raising cows as their primary source of sustenance. The resulting surge in cattle numbers has breathed new life into the district's grazing lands.
The sandy soil of Gaibandha's grasslands couldn't meet the families' needs in terms of crop production. Consequently, pastoralists sought alternative income sources, and cattle rearing emerged as their saving grace.
The district, crisscrossed by rivers like Brahmaputra, Teesta, Ghaghat, Karatoa, and Bengali, boasts nearly two hundred grasslands. Year after year, thousands of families lose their homes to relentless river erosion. In such dire circumstances, seasonal crops like paddy, cows, and almonds can't suffice as a livelihood on the grazing lands.
This is where cattle rearing becomes the beacon of hope for the Char people, despite the challenges they face. Previously, the pastures were abundant in herds, but the ongoing river erosion has taken its toll, reducing their numbers.
Now, the newly sprouted fodder and grass on land left behind after floods serve as the sole sustenance for cattle owners. During the three to four months of annual floods, these pastoralists grapple with extreme difficulties.
The floodwaters destroy the Char region's pastures, forcing them to feed the cattle for an extended period. In severe floods, even housing the cattle in the grazing area becomes impossible, necessitating the rental of boats to relocate them to higher ground or the homes of relatives. Moreover, the cost of rearing livestock soars due to the spoilage of cow fodder, leading to expensive purchases of hay and feed.
Venturing into the Rasulpur pasture of the Brahmaputra river basin in Kanchipara union, Phulchari upazila of Gaibandha, one can witness families with over a hundred cows, with each household typically having 8 to 26 cows. Some houses also keep buffaloes, goats, and sheep alongside their cows.
Majedul Haque, a 52-year-old resident of Char, currently tends to 13 cows and 5 goats in his home, six of which are cows. He not only sells their milk but also cultivates his land with them, earning a substantial income, between one to one and a half lakh rupees annually from cow and goat sales. This income proves invaluable during times of severe flooding or river influence.
Shamser Ali Munsi from Kunder Para Char in Sadar Upazila narrates his experience of battling Brahmaputra erosion eight times. With 17 bighas of land in Char, limited cultivation fails to provide year-round sustenance.
Therefore, he emphasizes cattle rearing and currently has 25 cows in his herd. District Livestock Officer Masudar Rahman acknowledges the surge in cattle numbers in Gaibandha, attributing it to farmer encouragement.
Presently, Gaibandha boasts approximately 950,000 cows, with a substantial proportion grazing in the district.
The profitability of cattle rearing in the natural grassland environment has prompted nearly every farming family to engage in it. Additionally, high demand for buffalo meat and milk in village markets, including grazing areas, ensures year-round financial rewards, further encouraging cattle raising in the region.