Fisheries and Livestock Minister Mohammad Amin Ur Rashid announced on Sunday that Bangladesh is fully prepared for the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha, with domestic livestock production comfortably exceeding national demand.
Speaking at a press conference at the Secretariat, the Minister assured citizens that there is no risk of a shortage. Data indicates that the country is heading into the festival with a significant surplus of sacrificial animals.
Supply vs. Demand: By the Numbers
According to the latest figures from the Department of Livestock Services (DLS), the livestock sector has seen robust growth, driven largely by local farmers and young entrepreneurs.
Total Available Animals: 12,333,840
Estimated Demand: 10,106,334
Projected Surplus: 2,227,506
The stock includes approximately 5.7 million cattle and buffaloes, 6.6 million goats and sheep, and over 5,600 other species such as camels and dumbas. This surplus follows a trend from the previous year, where over 3.3 million animals remained unsold after the festival.
Support for Digital Markets and Entrepreneurs
In a move to modernize the industry, the Minister highlighted the rise of young livestock entrepreneurs. To encourage this shift, the government has announced a major incentive for digital trade:
"We have decided that no fees or taxes will be imposed on online transactions of cattle, goats, sheep, or buffaloes. Since these sales bypass physical markets, they will remain tax-free to support our tech-savvy farmers," Minister Rashid stated.
Market Management and Health Safety
While the digital shift is growing, the government is also preparing for traditional commerce:
3,600+ cattle markets will be established nationwide.
27 markets are designated for the capital (16 in Dhaka North City Corporation and 11 in Dhaka South City Corporation).
Medical Teams: Veterinary doctors and department personnel will be deployed at every market to provide emergency medical support and monitor for the use of harmful fattening injections.
Border Controls and Farmer Protection
To protect the financial interests of local farmers, the government is tightening border security. The Minister emphasized a "zero-tolerance" policy regarding the illegal influx of cattle from neighboring countries.
Furthermore, a strategic decision has been made to ban livestock markets located in close proximity to the border, a move intended to prevent market distortion and ensure that only domestic animals reach the consumers.
"Law enforcement and border forces have assured us of strict measures to ensure our local farmers get the fair price they deserve," the Minister concluded.
