There will be no crisis of sacrificial animals ahead of Eid-ul-Azha despite a sharp fall in the cattle influx from India, claimed concerned official, reports UNB
Bangladesh has already got a stock of 3.0 million (30 lakh) cows and buffalos and 6.9 million goats, and the number may hit 19 million ahead of the Eid-ul-Azha.
Director General of the Department of Livestock Services (DLS) Ajay Kumar Roy came up with the figure quoting their union-level reports amid concern that the upcoming the Eid-ul-Azha may see an overheated market of sacrificial animals.
"Some 10-15 per cent will be added to the existing figure for cows and buffalos because the counting is still on," Roy told the news agencies.
He, however, sees a blessing in disguise in the fall in cattle influx as it has created an opportunity for Bangladesh to revamp the domestic livestock market as local farmers have already started giving more concentration on domestic production.
"Definitely, it's an opportunity for us. Domestic production [of cattle] is gradually increasing," Roy insisted.
Though the overall situation has led to a sharp meat price hike in the domestic market, Bangladesh will be benefited in the long run as cattle farmers are now encouraged to go for a large scale cattle farming, he said.
Meanwhile, the flow of sacrificial animals from Myanmar through Bangladesh-Myanmar border has increased sharply in recent days.
The DG, however, could not make any comment on whether the cows are coming through formal or informal channels.
However, eyewitnesses say they have seen an increased number of cattle from Myanmar through Teknaf border.
The cows are being imported through formal channel using only corridor in Teknaf that increased income for the customs authority.
Local businesspeople said they would be able to bring some 12,000 cows and buffaloes in the coming days. The consignment of cattle comes through wood-made cargo boats using the Na'f River.
Humayun Kabir, an official at Teknaf Customs Station, said some 4,194 sacrificial animals came from Myanmar in August generating a revenue income of Tk 2.0-8.5 million.
He also said some 25,000 sacrificial animals came from Myanmar last year and he is expecting to see the import of another 10,000 sacrificial animals ahead of the Eid-ul-Azha.
Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed said there will be no crisis of sacrificial animals ahead of Eid-ul-Azha even if Indian cattle are not imported, as there is an ample stock of animals in the country.