At a time when the price of beef has become a much-discussed topic, solely due to its unjust price, many people in Rajshahi have been saving money to eat beef during Eid-ul-Fitr. To make things easy, they have set up some meat associations where low- and middle-income groups can deposit money throughout the month so they can use the money to buy beef during Eid.
There are at least 200 families in Nichpara of Damkura under Poba Upazila in Rajshahi. Most of these families belong to the low- to middle-income group, and they live on agriculture. Due to recent price hikes, having beef in their meal has become a luxury. There are four meat associations in the village. On the 26th and 27th of Ramadan, four cows were slaughtered with the money deposited with these associations, and the meat was shared among the member families.
Sajib Hossain works as coordinator of one of these meat associations. He said that most of the people in the area depend on agriculture, and they cannot afford to buy meat from the market. Some occasionally buy broiler chicken, but none can afford beef. In recent years, some families were seen cooking Eid-day delicacies with fish as there was no meat at home. As a result, these associations were created. They are now very popular, he added.
A member of one of these associations, Yasin Ali, said he deposits Tk100 per week, and during Ramadan, he received 7kg of meat, which was enough to meet the needs of his family. He even did not have any trouble cooking meals for his relatives and neighbours with the meat. He recalled the hardship of buying beef in the previous year when he had to take out a loan to buy beef during Ramadan.
Another member, Minarul Islam, said that it has become difficult for one person to feed a family of five. Especially during Eid, when there are so many expenses, it is nearly impossible to buy meat from the market. This time, Minarul said, he has some extra meat at his home.
The activities of these associations are being praised by the local civil society as well. As a result, many more such associations are being formed in nearby villages and cities. The number is 500, locals say. They are everywhere, including in Gochar, Kushabaria, Piadapara, Bausa, Tentulia, Digha, Sarerhat, Manigram, and Bolihar.
How do they work?
Members of the association deposit Tk100 to Tk400 taka per week. The association buys cattle just before Eid with the money. The next day, the cattle are slaughtered, and the meat is distributed among the members. Many people prefer to give the money all at once during the slaughter. The activities of these associations have become so popular that not only low-income groups but also some well-to-do families are joining in. The members now include teachers and government officials.
Jharna Begum and Lata Begum are primary school teachers. They were among the first few organizers who had formed these associations 10 to 15 years ago. Their association currently has 31 members, and people join them with confidence due to their professional identities. They are successfully running the activities of the association.
In another case, 10 to 15 youths from Pirgacha village of Bagha upazila—who used to organize social awareness programs—started one association in their area. Seeing the success of their association, more such initiatives were taken in their village.
Jharna Begum said: “We collected Tk1.6 lakh this year and bought a cow for Tk1.3 lakh. The rest of the money will be used to buy a goat. The surplus amount will be kept for next year’s fund. Last year, we received 14kg of meat each. Most of the members of this association are rickshaw pullers and van drivers. They are poor and working-class people.”
Tausif Uddin, a resident of Rajshahi city, said such associations are not seen in their locality. Therefore, he has joined an association at the village home of his mother’s family.
He said he sends the installments through a mobile financial service each month. He arranges for the meat to be brought to his city home a day before Eid—when the cow is slaughtered. The price of meat is also cheaper this way.
Masud Rana Rubel, a government official from Mahishalbari village in Godagari Upazila, said he runs out of money after buying clothes for the family on Eid. So he saves money in advance through an association to get meat during Eid.”
Bagha Upazila Nirbahi Officer Tariqul Islam said: “The initiative is undoubtedly appreciable. They are saving money on their own. If they buy cows before Eid with the money they have saved throughout the year, it won’t burden them. In addition, everyone will be able to eat meat during Eid festivities. These associations have been beneficial in creating a link between the people of the area.”
Malay Bhowmik, a professor at the Department of Management of Rajshahi University, said that such associations in villages are admirable from the point of view of celebrating a special festival, not just a religious festival. This sort of socialization to fulfil needs is a local tradition. Such associations in villages are commendable. But it should not be limited to only one place because our problem is not only with the product. All the other problems of society should be solved together.”
Golam Mostafa Mamun, general secretary of the Consumers’ Association of Bangladesh in Rajshahi, said that this kind of association is a tradition that has not been seen in the past decades. But now this is gaining popularity as a protest against market syndicates. However, this cannot be a permanent solution to market management.”
