Palak: Digital Haat lending helping hand to rural cattle breeders

As many as 241 rural cattle markets have been connected to the online platform “Digital Haat” via 1,843 online shops, according to State Minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak.

The state minister for information and communication technology disclosed the information at the virtual inauguration ceremony of the “Nationwide (Deshbyapi) Digital Haat 2021” on Tuesday afternoon.

Palak also bought a cow using the platform following its inauguration and has said that the initiative would be helping out the cattle breeders of those areas.

The government launched the digital cattle market, said to be the biggest of its kind, ahead of last year’s Eid-ul-Azha, owing to the Covid-19 pandemic. Some 27,000 cattle were sold the last time, and the authorities have set a target of selling 100,000 this year.

Palak, who presided over the inauguration program, termed Digital Haat safe, affordable, and environment-friendly.

Over 200 rural markets were connected to the platform, which was why it was named Nationwide Digital Haat this year, he said.

Around 200,000 sacrificial animals would be shown on the platform, he added.

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Meanwhile, Fisheries and Livestock Secretary Rownak Mahmud said: “Bangladesh is self-sufficient when it comes to cattle supply, owing to the government’s sincere efforts and cooperation.”

In his remarks, Fisheries and Livestock Minister SM Rezaul Karim urged all to buy cattle via the online platform instead of visiting a physical marketplace to keep themselves safe amid the pandemic.

He assured both buyers and sellers of a hassle-free experience at Digital Haat.

This year buyers will get the option to see the cattle live from the markets in order to avoid any confusion. 

Buyers and sellers can call 09614102030 for any information or complaints regarding the Digital Haat.

This year’s Digital Haat is a joint venture of the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, the ICT Division, and the e-Commerce Association of Bangladesh (e-CAB), with a2i’s technical support. It was organized by DNCC, e-CAB, and the Bangladesh Dairy Farmers’ Association in 2020.