Organically fattened beef breeds increase ahead of Eid-ul-Azha

Dear readers, Bangladesh has a total stock of 11.18 million (one million equals to 10 lakh) cows, buffaloes, goats and sheep ahead of Eid-ul-Azha, the second largest religious festival of the Muslims, a little up than that of the previous year. We know that preparations have already been taken regarding the stock of the sacrificial animals and supplying those to the selected markets. The government at an inter-ministerial meeting, chaired by State Minister for Fisheries and Livestock Ashraf Ali Khan, has taken necessary steps to implement a contingency plan and ensuring fool proof security. 

Bangladesh has attained self-sufficiency in meat production and significantly it is important to reduce cattle imports and illegal entry of sacrificial animals from neighbouring countries. Departments concerned are working with livestock department and city corporations to prevent cow fattening and using steroid and hormone injections.

Many farmers expect that they’ll get a good price for their cattle. However, farmers from the flood-affected regions don’t foresee good profit this year, as they witness signs of malnourishment due to feed crisis amid the ongoing floods across the country.  

During the 80s, farmers of the country used to nurture their cows and feed them natural foods. Those cattle were their wealth, ahead of Eid-ul-Azha.

However, in time’s course, as the demand for meat increased vastly in the country, the concept of beef fattening came along. I featured these changing scenarios on BTV’s Mati O Manush. Dr Saad Ullah, the then head of livestock department of Bangladesh Agricultural University brought into the light Urea Molasses Block, a cattle feed especially suitable during disasters like flood. This was a brick-shaped solid food, which the cows used to eat by licking. Afterwards, came Urea Molasses Straw Technology, a mixture of water, urea, molasses and straw.       

Farmers, consumers and traders, all are now aware of the harmful effects of fattening cows by growing them with steroid or other harmful chemicals. Many consumers can now identify cows which have been fed steroids. You would see them very calm and quiet. You would also notice saliva dripping from their mouth. Farmers are trying their best to fatten the cows by feeding pure, natural and organic food. 

The country’s development in the farming sector is quite encouraging and inspiring. There is no doubt that there has been a revolution in the livestock sector in the last few years. Many unemployed youths have become self-reliant by establishing their farms. Women’s success in bringing solvency to the family by raising goats is a remarkable story for all of us. Thus, country’s livestock sector is expanding day by day. The number of farmers is also increasing and it means, livestock sector has ample potential for employment.

Without doubt, future farming scenario means smart farming. IoT (Internet of Things) based on artificial intelligence is adding new dimensions to livestock farming alongside mainstream farming. Some of the cattle farms are using digital technology at their farms and fetching new information. It is quite evident when technology is used more in numbers, then the cost comes down and becomes relatively low. It really does help the farmers hugely when the data of animal movement, health status is always being updated.  

Throughout the year, cattle farmers concentrated more on fattening using organic and natural methods. As I have said earlier, the customers are more aware about the effects of antibiotics, artificial growth promoters and harmful chemicals. So, most people are looking to find the ‘organic’ one.

Few years back, I also wrote an article on the beef breed, ‘American Brahman’. It’s been a few years that Brahman’s new home is Bangladesh. In 2008, under the Beef Cattle Development Project, 10,000 samples of semen were brought to be used experimentally in Bangladesh. Then another 60,000 samples of semen were brought in. It is highly positive that Brahman has spread as an organic breed. During the first phase of the project in 2014-15, 130 selected cattle farmers in 80 upazilas of 38 districts applied Brahman semen on 260 cows. Meanwhile, advanced research on the breed is going on at Savar’s Artificial Insemination (AI) and Research Centre and farmers are getting benefited hugely through this. This Brahman breed can weigh up to 1000 kg.

In 2016, I rode from port city Ghent to reach the municipality of Avelgem, located in the Belgian province of West Flanders, to see something they call the monster beef breed, ‘Belgian Blue’, which can weigh up to 1200 kilograms. Big cattle farmers of our country have taken up the expensive beef breed ‘Belgian Blue’ to their farms, as well.   

Dear readers, dengue and flood seem to have lessened the delight of Eid. We have always fought hard against any disaster, whether natural or manmade, and we will fight back. Keeping Eid-ul-Azha ahead, beef fattening is a profitable and promising business sector, you already know. A large part of unemployment can be eradicate by expanding this sector. Livestock sector has been playing an important role in the country’s economy. The march for ‘organic’ livestock should flourish even more. This sector will definitely create more employment opportunities for the youth. We must not forget one thing: we have to ensure a clean environment during and after the sacrifice of the animals as responsible citizens, since dengue has been spreading quite hugely across Dhaka and in many parts of the country. Clean and healthy surroundings is what we should give utmost priority to. My heartfelt Eid greetings to all of you.