Cement sheets could unlock Tk 123b annual farm gain

FE REPORT

Poultry and dairy farms could benefit from a switch to cement sheets, offering a cost-effective building material and protection against extreme heat, according to industry people.

They estimate the changeover from corrugated iron sheets could boost poultry and dairy production by 9-11 per cent, with an annual value of Tk 123 billion.

Adapting cement sheets would cut production costs, returning marginally unprofitable farms to profitability. This could lead to lower prices for consumers of eggs, milk and meat, said industry experts at a workshop in Dhaka on Monday.

The workshop, titled 'Green Construction: How Cement Sheet is Transforming Bangladesh's Agricultural Economy', was jointly organised by the Bangladesh Cement Sheet Manufacturing Association (BCSMA) and the Economic Reporters Forum (ERF), according to a press release.

The event was chaired by ERF President Mohammad Refayet Ullah Mirdha. Panel discussants included BCSMA President Dr Musaddique Hossain, Deputy Managing Director of Anwar Group of Industries Waeez R Hossain and keynote speaker Executive Director of the Agricultural Research Foundation Nathu Ram Sarker.

The programme was moderated by ERF Secretary Abul Kashem.

Waeez R Hossain said a "silent revolution" is happening in the country though the adaptation of cement sheets for cattle and poultry farms.

These sheets have increased egg, milk and meat production by 9 per cent and reduced livestock mortality by 10 per cent, he added.

Musaddique Hossain talked about the risks posed by high temperatures to animal resources and agriculture.

Cement sheets, with their six layers, can reduce shed temperatures by up to 12°C, leading to fewer heatstroke deaths in chickens and cattle, he said, adding that they also cut farm construction costs by 30 per cent, contributing to lower production costs.

Dr Sarker's keynote address elaborated on the versatility and sustainability of cement sheets. Their cost-effectiveness, heat resistance and fire resistance are making them increasingly popular worldwide and in various sectors across Bangladesh.

Cement sheets can lower heat by 6°C, resulting in increased livestock feed intake and production, according to the keynote.

The paper said currently 35 per cent of 125,000 poultry farms use cement sheets, leading to an 11 per cent increase in annual egg production. Full adoption within the sector could yield an additional 7 billion eggs annually, with a value of Tk 84 billion.

Similarly, if all 425,000 cattle farms used cement sheets, annual meat production could increase by 0.6 million tonnes, worth Tk 39 billion, according to Dr Sarker.

The local cement sheet sector has attracted around Tk 10 billion in investment, with five companies producing around 0.362 million tonnes annually.

ERF Assistant General Secretary Mizanur Rahman, Finance Secretary Rahim Sheikh and Anwar Group Senior Manager Humayun Farid were also present at the programme.

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