Beef to be Tk 50/kg cheaper in capital

The Bangladesh Dairy Farmers Association (BDFA) yesterday announced that its members would sell beef at a price that will be Tk 50 per kilogramme lower than the current rate.

The reduced rate will be applicable in the capital city and comes into effect today.

The association shared the information at a seminar on how to bring the price of meat within the purchasing power of consumers. The event was organised by the Directorate of National Consumers' Right Protection at the National Press Club.

Beef was sold at Tk 750 to Tk 780 per kg yesterday, according to the state-run Trading Corporation of Bangladesh.

But the BDFA said it is possible to sell the meat at Tk 500 to Tk 550 per kg if the government provides some policy support, including reducing the lease rate of cattle markets and setting up farmers' markets.

Imran Hossain, president of the association, said "We want to bring the price of beef within the reach of consumers. As part of the effort, growers will sell beef at Tk 50 lower rate."

The BDFA has 17,000 members.

He said milk, meat and other products produced at the farm level change three to four hands before they reach end-consumers.

"But if the products reach consumers directly from farmers, it will be possible to remove two to three middlemen. That will reduce prices further."

Hossain urged the government to lease out uncultivated khas land in the rural areas to farmers since there is a scarcity of land needed to grow grass.

AHM Shafiquzzaman, director-general of the Directorate of National Consumers' Right Protection, said the price of beef is around Tk 800 per kg, which is beyond the purchasing power of many people.

"For this, all stakeholders, including cattle producers, should come forward," he said, suggesting the Department of Livestock Services take steps to keep the prices of beef within the buying capacity of consumers.

He said farmers are giving priority to milk production while meat comes second.

"But we should strike a balance between milk and meat production."