Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) launched the country's lone digital cattle market on Sunday with an aim to sell 0.1 million sacrificial animals from nine markets ahead of Eid-ul-Azha.
Last year 27,000 sacrificial animals were sold through the DNCC digital cattle market platform where there were 45 marketplaces. This year the number of market places has been raised to 60. At present, 2,000 farmers are added to the platform. The number of farmers is expected to increase up to 10,000 this year.
There will be a slaughtering place this year too with a target to slaughter 1,000 animals by Dairy Farmers Association. But the buyers should book for slaughtering service by July 12 before purchasing any animal.
The digital cattle market platform was inaugurated virtually by local government minister Tazul Islam who attended the virtual programme as the chief guest. Fisheries and livestock minister SM Rejaul Karim, information minister Hasan Mahmud, post and telecom minister Mostafa Jabbar and state minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed also spoke on the occasion.
In his speech, Tazul Islam suggested online purchase of cattle as the infection rate is on the rise. Union digital centres can be used for this. He also suggested that the authorities concerned bring the grassroots-level farmers in the online platforms who do not know much about technology and digital transaction.
DNCC Mayor Atiqul Islam said if 0.1 million sacrificial animals can be sold through the online platform, at least 0.5 million people will not need to go to the cattle markets which will help stem the spread of the coronavirus. Besides, DNCC will not realise any 'hasil' from the buyers who will buy cattle from the DNCC digital cattle market. This market will add over 100 e-commerce sites.
The people living in Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC), Narayanganj, Gazipur and other bordering areas will be able to buy animals from this digital market, he added. The DNCC has 25 freezer vans for delivering slaughtered animals. But rawhides will be given to an NGO namely Manabseba.
There is a permanent cattle market at Gabtoli and eight temporary markets under the DNCC. Digital service will be available before Eid day. The buyers will be able to bargain online and weigh animals. SM Rejaul Karim said there are 412 million animals in the country. This year 11.9 million sacrificial animals are ready for slaughtering.
Zunaid Ahmed said there are 7,000 union digital centres. This year e-commerce entrepreneurs have raised 0.3 million cattle. The Bangladesh Bank has introduced an escrow payment system so that ghd money can be released to the sellers' accounts only after the buyers are satisfied with the desired product.
The DNCC digital cattle market platform will have the links with all other markets across the country where it will be telecast live.
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