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Editorial

Development of livestock sector in Bangladesh

Take necessary initiatives to reduce production cost


Bangladeshpost
Published : 03 Jul 2022 08:32 PM

It is discouraging to note that despite having huge production capacity, Bangladesh has 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. 

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.  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. 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 

We believe Bangladesh has huge potential 

to boost its meat export across 

the world and grab a large 

share of global halal 

meat market

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 believe Bangladesh has huge potential to boom its meat export across the world and grab a large share of global halal meat market.

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.

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.