Waste materials from the slaughtered animals from Eid ul Azha now form the basis of a profitable business. In the past, horns, testicles, fat, intestines of animals used to be thrown away but not anymore. Of the waste, the reproductive organ of bulls is a coveted item in Thailand, Myanmar, Japan and China as soup made with it is a delicacy. The organ is also used to manufacture medicines. In these countries, one reproductive organ, known in common language as penis, is sold for $ 8 to $ 10. The teeth of cattle are used to produce covers for capsules.
Every year, businessmen collect the waste, process them and export them abroad.
The discarded parts of sacrificed animals are collected by a section of child workers, who then take them to sell at particular spots. One kg of bones is around Tk. 3, testicles at Tk. 20-35 per kg, stomach at Tk. 120 and horns sell for Tk. 100.
Raisuddin, associated with this trade, told Bangla Tribune: “we do this trade once a year; after cleaning we sell them to buyers for a considerable profit.”
Relevant people have said that with proper training and publicity, animal waste can turn into a major foreign currency earner.
Bangladesh Meat Traders’ Association says, last year, the export income was more than Tk. 170 crore which may exceed Tk. 200 crore this year.
The waste from hide is collected from tanneries and is used to make blotting paper. The animal blood is collected, dried and then crushed to be mixed with poultry food.
Secretary-general of Bangladesh Meat Sellers Association, Rabiul Alam, told Bangla Tribune: “training is required for waste preservation and processing; with incentives, this sector can become hugely popular.”
Once the issue is adequately portrayed in the media, people will not discard waste products anymore, he contends.
Secretary of the ministry of commerce, says: “we have heard of the export of waste from cattle but the issue is not yet mentioned in the list of exported items.”