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Pig keepers in Pabna struggle smart from low wages


Published : 11 Mar 2022 07:29 PM

Although it is quite difficult as a profession, pig keepers in Sirajganj district do not get salary compared to other odd jobs out in the fields. Even after that, they have to run from one end of the country to the other in search of livelihood. Recently, while talking to five pig keepers, a picture of their life's hardships, pains and anguish came out.

Liton Tarani Das of Salangar in Sirajganj is now 35 years old. He has been working as a pig keeper since he was 9 years old. Madan Chandra Tarani Das, 45, of the same area has been working as a pig keeper for 25 years. Ravi Chandra Tarani Das, 50, of Jalalganj village in Mithapukur, Rangpur has been working for 40 years and Sarkar Mardi of Mali Pukur village in Tanore, Rajshahi has been working as a pig keeper for 20 years. Their associate Jessorath Basak of Srikrishnapur village in Tarash upazila of Sirajganj also occasionally worked as a pig keeper. Recently they were seen riding pigs in Mathurapur area of Chatmohar. They were riding 190 pigs of Sushil Chandra Tarani Das of Failjana Union of Chatmohar. They were seen making temporary tents with bamboo sticks and polythene in the fallow land to live. They have to ignore the harsh weather under such tents for most of the year. They cook in the open space next to the camp. Thus they have to run from one area to another, from one field to another. After riding pigs all day, pig herds have to be guarded in turns at night to prevent fox and dogs from attacking. In return, they get a salary of ten to twelve thousand Tk.

Liton and Madan said, “We have to spend day and night in the field, along the road. Suffering from sun, rain and storm. We go to many districts of the country including Dhaka, Tangail, Mymensingh, Rajshahi, Pabna, Sirajganj, Naogaon, Bogura, Rangpur. We have to suffer like this everywhere.” Ravi Tarani Das and Sarkar Mardi said, "We work with moneylenders on one month, two month or three month contracts. We go home after one, two or three months working according to the agreement with the salary money in advance. After spending two or four days at home, we made an agreement with another moneylender and went to feed his pigs again. Most of the year we have to spend our life as nomads in search of livelihood.”

Sushil Chandra Tarani Das said pig rearing is a lucrative business. He has been raising pigs for the last 40 years. He has 430 pigs. He raises pigs in four bathans (groups). About 30 pig keepers have been employed to look after his pigs. With good food, a pig weighs about 28 kg in a year. Pork is sold at a wholesale price of Tk 280 per kg and retail at Tk 350 per kg. There is demand for pork in Dhaka, Chattogram and some other areas of Bangladesh. He further said that the life of pig keepers is very difficult. Many people choose it as a profession in pursuit of livelihood.