Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhtar has said that this year’s Eid-ul-Azha will generate economic activity exceeding Tk 100,000 crore in the country.
She made the announcement while addressing a seminar titled ‘Domestic Animals for Qurbani: Management of Livestock and Hides’ organized by the Bangladesh Agricultural Journalists Forum (BAJF) at the Krishibid Institution Bangladesh auditorium in the capital on Monday.
She said, “During my recent visit to Rajshahi, I was impressed to see surplus livestock being raised by women entrepreneurs at the household level. We have achieved near self-sufficiency in meeting Qurbani demands through local production.”
The seminar brought together government officials, political leaders, and industry experts to discuss preparations for the religious festival. Special guests included BNP executive committee member Tabith Awal, who stressed the need to develop the country’s potential as a meat-exporting nation, and National Citizen Party leader Samanta Sharmin, who emphasized the ethical treatment of sacrificial animals according to Islamic principles.
Regarding the leather industry, Adviser Akhtar announced several government initiatives including free salt distribution for hide preservation, fixed pricing for raw hides, and permission for hide exports if domestic demand is met.
“This Eid presents new opportunities to strengthen our leather sector through proper byproduct management,” she stated.
Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute Director General Dr. Shakila Faruque discussed the importance of supporting both local and cross-bred cattle while protecting farmers from unfair market practices. The seminar also featured technical presentations on animal management and hide preservation techniques from Livestock Department officials.
With over 10 million animals expected to be sacrificed during Eid-ul-Azha, the festival is set to generate substantial economic activity across multiple sectors including livestock trading, transportation, and leather processing. Industry representatives confirmed preparations are underway to handle the seasonal surge in business activity while ensuring proper waste management.
The seminar, chaired by BAJF President Golam Iftikhar Mahmud and moderated by BAJF General Secretary Sahanowar Saeed Shahin, featured concept papers presented by Dr. ABM Khaleduzzaman, Director (Production) of the Department of Livestock Services, and Mohammad Jasim Uddin, Director of the Livestock and Dairy Development Project (LDDP).
Also present at the event were AKM Fayzur Rahman, Managing Director of Positive Biotech Limited, and Khandaker Aminul Islam, South Asia Representative of WM Enterprise.
