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Patuakhali's Dashmina emerges as livestock hub, boosting local economy

Cattle rearing in the vast char areas of Dashmina upazila in Patuakhali have evolved from a supplementary livelihood into a major driver of the local economy, contributing to poverty alleviation and employment generation.

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2 min read
In the center of the image there is a cow on the ground. In the background we can see grass.
In the center of the image there is a cow on the ground. In the background we can see grass.

Patuakhali's Dashmina emerges as livestock hub, boosting local economy

Cattle farming in Dashmina upazila, Patuakhali, has become a key part of the local economy. The area’s wetland-rich chars provide ideal conditions for rearing buffaloes and cows, helping farmers earn steady incomes. Experts now see even greater potential for milk and meat production in the region.

Over 5,620 cows and buffaloes are currently raised in Dashmina, with buffaloes making up around 65% of the total. These animals thrive in the char environment, where each buffalo yields nearly twice the milk and one-and-a-half times the meat of a local cow. At present, the existing buffalo population could produce about 1.05 million litres of milk and 7.4 million kilograms of meat every year.

Farmers like Abdus Salam from Char Hadi earn between Tk 800 and Tk 1,000 daily from milk sales alone. Chhakina Begum of Char Banshbaria also finds buffalo rearing profitable, thanks to the low cost of natural feed in the chars. Alongside cattle, duck farming has grown in popularity across the wetlands. Despite the success, challenges remain. Karim Molla of Char Samad struggles to treat sick animals due to a lack of veterinary services in the remote chars. To improve productivity, Dashmina upazila livestock officer Shuvendu Sarkar has called for regular deworming, vaccinations, and better farmer training. Experts, including livestock specialist Dr. A. K. M. Nurul Islam and Prof. Dr. Mohammad Shahjahan, are pushing for Dashmina to become a major hub for milk and meat production. Representatives from the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI) are also supporting efforts to expand the sector.

The growth of cattle farming in Dashmina has already helped reduce poverty and create jobs. With stronger veterinary support and training, the region could further increase its milk and meat output. The natural advantages of the chars suggest a promising future for local farmers.

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