A recent report dispatched by a reporter of The Financial Express from Brazil highlights how the South American country's remarkable transformation from a traditional ranching nation into a global agricultural titan offers a blueprint for modernising Bangladesh's livestock sector. As the report notes, by the end of 2024 Brazil boasted a staggering cattle population of 238.2 million. Notably, the recipe for success in the Brazilian model is an increase in productivity, not in herd size. This has largely been achieved through genetic improvement of both animals and grasses, with the aim of producing more with less. As a result, while milk production reached a historic peak of 35.7 billion litres, the number of cows actually milked fell to its lowest point in over four decades. This stunning increase in productivity, driven by precision technology and genetic advancement, provides a roadmap for Bangladesh to modernise its livestock sector.
Livestock is an important sub-sector of an agro-based economy. Beyond its crucial role in improving household incomes, it holds immense potential for contributing to GDP growth through expansion of dairy, meat and allied industries. Local cattle farming witnessed a boom in Bangladesh following India's restriction on the export of cows in 2015. Since then, hundreds of youths, along with prominent industrialists, have ventured into animal husbandry, helping the country achieve self-sufficiency in cattle supply during Eid-ul-Adha while also meeting its year-round demand for meat. However, Bangladesh's livestock sector remains largely subsistence-based, with indigenous cattle breeds producing modest quantities of milk and meat. Although efforts have been made to adopt artificial insemination programmes and cross-breeding initiatives, progress remains limited. Experts suggest that a wider adoption of high-yielding breeds drawing on Brazil's experience, it could be a game changer for the sector's development.
To this end, experts suggest the genetic improvement of local cattle breeds rather than the indiscriminate import of exotic ones, in order to ensure both higher productivity and adaptability to local conditions. At the same time, fodder management is crucial. Due to the scarcity of open grazing land, feed shortages and poor nutrition often constrain cattle growth. Brazil's experience shows the introduction of improved, high-yield forage varieties could significantly boost output, even on small plots of land. Equally important is the adoption of precision livestock farming. From data-driven breeding decisions to better veterinary services and efficient farm management, technology can be integrated across the value chain. However, such a transformation will not happen overnight; it will require investment, stronger institutional support and comprehensive capacity-building initiatives to equip farmers with the skills and resources needed to modernise the sector.
Advanced farm practices can also help curb unscrupulous practices such as artificial cattle fattening. Ahead of Eid-ul-Adha, some traders resort to using steroids, antibiotics and other chemicals to fatten livestock within an abnormally short period. These practices are not only unethical but also pose serious health risks to consumers. Overall, in a country where land is limited and demand for animal protein is rising, increasing productivity is not an option but an imperative. It is hoped that the authorities concerned will follow Brazil's modernisation programme for development of livestock sector and take necessary steps to replicate its key lessons in Bangladesh.
