A shortage of cattle in Chin state has prompted authorities to penalize the traders that are responsible. Many traders are selling bulls in neighboring India where they can get more for their livestock than in Burma.
“Thantlang township policemen arrested a trader and confiscated 14 bulls from Khuapi village, Hakha town in July. The trader wasn’t given bail by the authorities in Sagaing division,” said a bull trader based in Hakha town.
The arrests happened after farmers requested for something to be done. So much livestock is being sent north that farmers found them it difficult to maintain their farms.
“Many farmers are facing problems farming after domestic animal traders purchase the local bulls,” said a farmer from Kalemyo.
In Kalay, Tamu and Gangaw residents rely on the use of domestic animals, especially bulls, for their daily survival. Now that many are being sold farmers are struggling.
The bull traders are buying Indian and Burma and mix-breed bulls from Sagaing and Makui divisions. The livestock is exported mainly to Mizoram state capital of Aizawl. It is also exported to Champhai, Lawngtlai and Saiha.
