A CPI (M) controlled co-operative society in Kerala is aiming to utilise the nationwide ban on sale and purchase of cattle from animal markets for slaughter, to become the largest supplier of beef in the state.

The Wayanad-based Brahmagiri Development Society (BDS) owns the largest multi-species abattoir in the country and is targeting mass commercial rearing of cattle by collecting farmers into cooperative societies under BDS, a report in The Times of India states. 

From next month onwards, the BDS will distribute 3,000 calves to farmers at subsidised rates on guaranteed buy-back arrangement, the report says. 

"We plan to help start at least 30,000 small scale household cattle rearing units. Till now, dairy farmers in the state have been reluctant to rear male calves which they sell off for as low as Rs 7,000 soon after birth. But if they rear them for two years, BDS can procure them for around Rs 25,000-Rs 30,000," said BDS chairman and former CPM MLA P Krishna Prasad.

Even local body institutions can pay Rs 5,000 to farmers as incentive for each adult cattle sold to BDS and other such societies as per a notification by the state government, Prasad added. 

He said that calves brought from Andhra Pradesh were being supplied at 20% discount to the farmers as no middlemen were involved. 

BDS currently sells various processed meat products under its ‘Malabar Meat’ brand. 

The society hopes to capture at least 10% of the Rs 6,500 crore beef market in the state within five years, Prasaid said. 

He said that they recently met the chief minister and apprised the government that BDS can procure all the cattle reared in the state. 

Butchers and meat vendors who have been hit hard by the Centre's notification will be helped by the BDS in setting up Malabar Meat outlets, the report adds. 

The society currently has 79 outlets in the state.