500 farms shut in 18 months; Chattogram faces 35,000 cattle shortage ahead of Eid

More than 500 cattle farms have shut down across Chattogram over the past one and a half years amid political instability, tighter access to bank loans, sharply rising feed prices and a spike in cattle theft. The downturn has raised concerns over an emerging cattle shortage in the district ahead of Eid-ul-Adha.

Livestock data show demand for sacrificial cattle in Chattogram at 818,681 against a stock of 783,151, leaving a gap of around 35,000 cattle. Production has also fallen from 852,359 in 2024 and 842,165 in 2023, signalling a sustained decline. 

Stakeholders warn that this shortage could push cattle prices beyond the reach of ordinary consumers during the Eid season.

The scale of the crisis is visible in the experience of Md Delowar Hossain, owner of NDR Agro Farm in Sitakunda. Once home to around 100 cattle, his farm now has only 16 due to rising losses. He said farmers are under pressure from global volatility, soaring feed prices, electricity bills and labour costs. 

Infographic: TBS

"Costs have gone out of control, and a large portion of my capital is already gone," he said, adding that he feels "at a dead end."

A similar contraction is seen at Patiya Haji Agro Farm, owned by SM Jokael. His herd has dropped from around 100 cattle in 2021 to just 4-6, while staff numbers fell from 10 to one. 

"We've given up commercial farming," he said, noting that rising feed prices have made operations unviable. Wheat bran now sells at Tk70 per kilogram, up from Tk25-30, while soybean prices have reached Tk80-85. He alleged syndicate-driven manipulation is worsening losses.

Farmers also cite weak institutional support, including inadequate vaccine supply, costly procurement, and limited upazila-level assistance. They further allege inequality in credit access, saying loans and stimulus packages often go to influential "big fish" rather than genuine farmers, slowing new farm creation among unemployed youth.

According to officials at the district livestock department, Chattogram had around 12,500 farms, of which nearly 500 have closed in 18 months. 

Officials also note that several farms established during the previous Awami League government, with financial backing from politically influential individuals, were later abandoned after political changes forced owners to flee. 

Meanwhile, cattle theft has increased sharply in upazilas such as Sitakunda, Patiya and Anwara, pushing marginal farmers to sell off remaining livestock and exit the sector out of fear.

District Livestock Officer Mohammad Alamgir said the shortfall will be covered through supplies from other districts. "Traders from Bogura, Dinajpur, Kushtia and other regions will bring cattle as usual. The hill districts also have surplus cattle," he said.

Despite the recent wave of farm closures, he expressed optimism, noting that the livestock sector naturally moves through cycles of rise and decline, even as new farms continue to emerge. "We provide advice and cooperation to those willing to start farming so they can move forward," he said, adding that he expects the situation to stabilise over time.

Responding to criticism, he added that farmers must directly approach upazila offices for assistance. Loan-related issues, he said, depend on the banks, while the livestock office provides references and limited medical support. He also noted that written complaints, if formally submitted, would be addressed.