The bargaining reality and safety issues of goat marketing at the marketplace in Bangladesh

Abstract

Meat safety is a growing concern and consumers’ demand for safe meat is gradually increasing in Bangladesh. The safety of goat meat depends on various stakeholders from producer farms to consumer tables. The research was conducted in marketplaces where entire stakeholders related to goat marketing i.e., farmers, intermediaries, traders, butchers, and consumers gather and negotiate. The present research aims at a) ascertaining the present marketing system of goats at the marketplace based on pricing mechanism and bargaining power of the essential stakeholders b) exploring the way to encourage the safe handling manner by all stakeholders at the marketplace considering animal welfare. Data were collected by personal interviews with intermediaries, traders, and farmers in the four sample markets by semi-structured questionnaires. Infrastructure facilities of live goat markets, negotiating power of sellers and buyers in the pricing process, safe handling of goats during transportation and marketplaces were also observed. The private enterprises were operating goat markets taking the lease from local government authorities. The utility facilities (drinking water, toilet, shed for people and goats) at marketplaces were poor. On an average, 356 people were present in one market per market day and 76% of goats brought in the market were sold out. A complex, perception-based pricing has been continuing for a long time in the goat markets. Intermediaries and traders were relatively more satisfied with goat price, negotiating power than farmers and the general consumer. Among the various stakeholders, 60% of Intermediaries, 49% farmers, 45% general consumers, and 27% traders showed their full satisfaction with market fees. Though safe handling of goats during transportation is important to get quality meat, goats were often transported by public bus putting them in the lower luggage cabin. As a result, goats may die due to heat stress in the summer season. The intermediaries and traders dominated the marketplaces, but they were not concerned about the safe handling of goats. There is a lack of knowledge about better handling of goats during transportation and marketplaces among all stakeholders of goat marketing. There is no involvement of any government authorities to ensure the decent price of goat and hygienic conditions of marketplaces. Bangladesh government should develop a transparent and straightforward pricing system and increase the frequency of market monitoring by livestock officials to improve the food safety situation.