The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has found evidence that Sadeeq Agro, a controversial farm, has been breeding banned Brahman cows.
A nine-member ACC team, headed by the graft body's Assistant Director Abul Kalam Azad, led a drive at the farm located in Savar.
"We found seven Brahman calves, aged 7-10 months, and discovered that three Brahman cows were inseminated last month. The sale or transfer of these animals has been banned. We have seized the farm's sperm account and the butcher's account. Since the import and production of Brahman breed cattle are banned, our authorities will be informed about these cattle, and decisions will be made accordingly,” the ACC assistant director said.
Goat supremacy: Don’t let a goat eat your fortuneHowever, Brahman cattle have been banned since 2016. The government then stopped the production and import of Brahman cattle, the import of semen from Brahman bulls, and artificial insemination.
During this time, the farm manager Zahid Khan said: "I have been in charge here for the past few months. Initially, the farm mainly produced milk. Daily, about 600kg to 700kg of milk are supplied to Dhaka. Currently, the farm has about 250 cattle, including cows and calves, 12 camels, two horses, and several hundred ducks and chickens. About 35 employees, including myself, are working here. Since this morning, security guards have been arranged here; there were no security personnel before."
How is the most celebrated goat doing now?Responding to a question, the ACC official said: "Some 18 Brahman cattle were illegally imported to Bangladesh in 2021. They were kept at the central cattle breeding and dairy farm for care. However, last April (during Ramadan), Imran, the owner of Sadeeq Agro, took responsibility for slaughtering and selling these cattle under certain conditions. But allegations have surfaced against him for selling similar cattle during the Eid al-Azha. This investigation was conducted to determine whether these cattle were showcased for sale instead of being slaughtered. It is also being checked whether any officials or employees here are involved with Sadeeq Agro. In 2021, the Dhaka Customs House seized 18 Brahman cattle imported from the US. Three of them died. The remaining 15 cattle were assigned to the Central Cattle Breeding and Dairy Farm for care.
“However, Imran publicly displayed these banned cattle during the Livestock Service Week and Exhibitions in 2023 and 2024."
The Goatfather: Who really bought the goat priced at 15L?In 2021, 18 Brahman cattle illegally brought in were caught at Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka. The government seized them and kept them at the government dairy farm in Savar.
