Impact
of The Indian’s Ban on Onion and Cows Export to Bangladesh: A blessing or curse
Some say that everything has its
positive and negative sides in its own ways. India banned onion and cows export
to its friend and neighbouring country, Bangladesh
Consequences
of The Indian’s Ban on Cows Export to Bangladesh (Pros & Cons)
The price for cows and other animals has
gone high and the people of Bangladesh had to buy meat at a higher price. Since
the Muslim majority country, they (90% of BD people) sacrifice halal animals (cows,
buffaloes, goats, sheep, and camels) in the name of almighty Allah at the time
of Eid al-Adha (locally known as Korbani Eid). During the time of animal
sacrifice festival, the price of sacrificial animal remains highest.
Because of the high price and profit, cattle
business in Bangladesh has flourished and many unemployed people involved in the cattle
farm business. Now it has become an emerging source of income generation for
the local entrepreneurs and dairy farmers (small and mid-level businesspersons).
Due to the new business, animals for Eid slaughtering stay in stock at a good
price and it is a win-win situation for both the buyers and the sellers.
Bangladesh
has now achieved self-sufficiency in animals and it has profoundly reduced
cattle imports from Myanmar and India. The meat industry has also prevented
virus attack from foreign meat.
Results
of The Indian’s Ban on Onion Export to Bangladesh (Advantages & Disadvantages)
The sudden Indian’s ban on onion export has
created a crisis in Bangladesh. Because of the continuous demand and price hike,
the BD people are trying to consume less onion and avoid onion in food. The
restaurants are using onion less and increase the food price. The government of Bangladesh is mitigating
the crisis by importing onion from several countries (Egypt, Pakistan, Turkey,
Myanmar, China) by air and sea. The government also sells those imported
essential cooking ingredient through the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB
– a govt body). Scientists of agriculture universities and agriculture research
institutes are also trying to find alternatives. All endeavours to tame the
skyrocketing onion price have not seen success because syndicates are taking
the advantages of the export ban.
However, raising domestic onion
production and becoming a self-sufficient like the country did after cattle ban
from India should be the main motto. Bangladesh has unemployment problems and it
also has demographic dividend advantages.
Nowadays, not only traditional farmers
but also by educated youths involve in commercial agribusiness. In
Bangladesh, those who are the actual producer and grower of food are usually
poor and uneducated. A revolution is required in the agriculture sector. Our
agriculture business will be developed if farmers are well-educated and smart to
know modern production and marketing method like in Europe and the USA.
There is no option but to turn these
challenges into opportunities and make more businessmen in the country. From
meat production to grain cultivation, vegetables and fruits production, smart
people should think about it and come forward to do business. Furthermore, the
government also needs to motivate the young generation not to wait for govt
jobs only but to become entrepreneurs and give others jobs. We will reduce dependency on every sector if the business is grown and run well.
It must be kept in mind that cattle
owners must be stopped to inject harmful substances (injections of steroid,
hormone) into animals in the name of fattening. The farmers must be encouraged
to utilize composts and green fertilizers in agriculture production.
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