A litmus test for its sustainability

Launched during the Covid-19 pandemic when restrictions discouraged buying the animals from physical markets, the Digital Haat was a big success in the past two years with over 4,00,000 cattles being sold.

This online cattle market is jointly managed by the ICT department, Ekshop-a2i, the fisheries and livestock ministry and e-Commerce Association of Bangladesh (e-CAB). The commerce ministry, Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) and Bangladesh Dairy Farmers Association (BDFA) are also supporting the initiative.

The coordinator for current year’s Digital Haat, Asif Ahnaf, also the founder and CEO of Breakbite eBusiness Ltd, said the Digital Haat was a tremendous success in the last two years amid huge demands for online purchase.

According to the e-Commerce Association of Bangladesh (e-CAB), a total of 27,000 sacrificial animals were sold through the first Digital Haat in 2020. However, in 2021, the government took charge of the platform and sales through it made a big jump to 3,87,000 animals, while last year, over 4 lakh cattles were sold.

Ahnaf said apart from facilitating animal trade, the platform has also created a network of online marketplaces. The main purpose of the platform is to connect farmers from local markets in the process. Farmers from remote areas and regional haat are also getting the opportunity to connect in the process.

“From the whole digital platform network, over four lakh cattles were sold last year. We are targeting to sell around 5 lakh cattles through the network this year,” he added.

Ahnaf, who is also the finance secretary of e-CAB’ executive committee, believes that this year would be the litmus test for the initiative as there would be no health rules in place.

“Although desire for physical presence would lead to lesser order on the online market, we are still hoping that demand would not go down,” he added.

He said initially “Digital Haat” would be inaugurated on June 20. The cattle traders would be allowed to register their cattle on the platform from Friday.

Meanwhile, Imran Hossain, president of the Bangladesh Dairy Farmers Association (BDFA), said the traders are ready to register their cattles with the network this year as well.

Asked about the slaughtering services he said they will provide the services if anyone asks them to.

Digital payment in 2 Ctg cattle markets

Under the direct supervision of the Bangladesh Bank, the Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) last year launched a pilot project called “Smart Bangladesh Smart Haat” to facilitate digital payment in cattle markets in the capital.

Primarily, the payment system was available only at cattle markets in Dhaka where customers used their bank’s credit, debit or prepaid card for payment at the six cattle haats in Gabtoli, Bosila, Aftabnagar, Bhatara, Uttara and Kawla areas.

According to the central bank official, international payment networks MasterCard and Visa are also supporting the initiative. In addition, payments through mobile financial service provider bKash will also be accepted.

The services received good response as carrying large volumes of cash to and from cattle markets has always been cumbersome and risky for both traders and customers.

Therefore, the farmers and traders wanted the services to other markets as well. Initially the system was made available to Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) and Chattagram City Corporation (CCC).

“CCC has facilitated the start of services at two of its cattle haats. This will be a new addition for this year,” said Imran Hossain.

However, he said the same facility could not be expanded in DSCC areas as the municipal corporation asked for money for permitting the expansion.

“DSCC authorities demanded monetary benefits for the city corporation. They asked money for a service that will help the government achieve its target of Smart Bangladesh. Even when the financial service providers - banks and MFS- are not charging for their services in the haats.”

The Business Post tried to reach Chief Estate Officer (deputy secretary) Rasel Sabrin and the Chief Executive Officer (Additional Secretary) Md Mizanur Rahman for their comments in this regard, but they did not respond to phone calls.