20% Electricity Rebate for Livestock and Fisheries Sectors

In a strategic move to bolster food security and reduce operational overheads for the nation's primary producers, the Government of Bangladesh has announced a 20% electricity bill rebate for the fisheries, livestock, and poultry sectors. This policy intervention aims to invigorate agro-based industries, lower the retail price of animal proteins, and encourage the export of high-quality agricultural products.

Strategic Funding and Policy Expansion

The decision was officially communicated via a press release on Monday, 26 January, signed by Md. Mamun Hasan, the Information and Public Relations Officer of the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock. Under the existing framework for agricultural electricity rebates, sixteen sectors currently enjoy a 20% discount. With this latest inclusion, the Finance Division has made a policy commitment to provide a 100 crore BDT subsidy to cover the costs associated with these four newly integrated sub-sectors.

The government intends for this financial relief to act as a catalyst for "smart farming," allowing small-scale hatcheries and large-scale industrial processors alike to reinvest savings into modernising their facilities.

Eligible Sectors and Scope

The rebate is not limited to primary farming but extends deep into the value-added processing and feed manufacturing industries. The scope of the 20% discount covers the following key areas:

Animal and Poultry Feed Manufacturing: Reduction in the cost of producing essential nutritional inputs.

Fish Feed Production: Lowering the barrier for aquaculture expansion.

Poultry Industry: Supporting hatcheries and commercial broiler/layer farms.

Dairy Processing: A comprehensive list including milk pasteurisation, powdered milk production, and the manufacturing of value-added products such as ghee, butter, cheese, and yoghurt.

Economic Impact and Objectives

By slashing electricity costs, the government anticipates a multi-dimensional benefit for the national economy. Lowering the "cost of doing business" in these sectors is expected to attract fresh domestic and foreign investment. Furthermore, as production becomes more cost-effective, the country moves closer to self-sufficiency in safe, high-quality animal protein, which is vital for public health.

A Vision for Export-Oriented Growth

The Ministry believes that this subsidy will make Bangladeshi dairy and poultry products more competitive in international markets. As the global demand for processed halal meat and dairy increases, reducing the energy cost of pasteurisation and cold storage—which are notoriously electricity-intensive—gives local manufacturers a significant edge. This initiative is a cornerstone of the broader governmental mission to transform the agrarian economy into a dynamic, export-led industrial powerhouse.