Pig manure is commonly used as a fertiliser in corn cultivation in the United States. The issue has gained traction and generated buzz because Bangladesh is a Muslim-majority country, where the use and consumption of pork-related products are considered haram.
The US embassy in Dhaka recently posted that American corn was on its way to Bangladesh. However, the post ended up feeding a social media frenzy as users zeroed in on an unlikely, and culturally sensitive, detail – pig manure.
Pig manure is commonly used as a fertiliser in corn cultivation in the United States. The issue has gained traction and generated buzz because Bangladesh is a Muslim-majority country, where the use and consumption of pork-related products are considered haram or forbidden under Islamic law.
“US corn is on its way to Bangladesh this month. Known for its nutritious quality, it serves as a key ingredient in many foods, including staples like cornbread and breakfast cereals. Corn is also used to feed animals, helping to ensure a reliable supply of meat, dairy, and eggs,” the US embassy in Dhaka tweeted.
SOCIAL MEDIA ERUPTS
However, social media users had a field day in mocking the post after pointing out that pig manure is used as fertiliser in US corn farming. Several users framed the issue sarcastically.
“For su***** up to the Don (Trump), Bangladesh gets American corn (boosted by pig poop manure), and Pakistan gets to send ‘peacekeeping force’ to Gaza,” a journalist tweeted.
Another posted, “Uncle Sam destroying Bangladesh. They will now eat pig-manured corn.” “Now, the Islamists will eat the corn grown with pig faeces. Enjoy,” a third said. “Poor Bangladeshis are becoming the scapegoats of Trump’s malicious food and debt policies,” another tweeted.
The US embassy has not responded to the wave of criticism so far.
Just a few years ago, Bangladesh authorities detected the presence of pork products in meat and bone meal (MBM) powder that was being imported for use as fish and animal feed. MBM is a powder made by drying and grinding inedible parts of slaughtered animals. Following the incident, Bangladesh banned the sale and import of MBM powder.
US CORN IN BANGLADESH: THE BACKSTORY
Corn requires significant fertilisation, and pig manure is often applied to cornfields to boost production. This year, the US had a bumper corn production and has been pushing for its exports to global markets like Bangladesh and India. There have been reports that the glut has forced US farmers to dump stacks of corn by highways.
In fact, India’s pushback against US pressure to import corn and soybeans is believed to have stalled trade deal negotiations. India has, so far, resisted large-scale market access for American corn, citing the need to protect the livelihoods of small farmers. However, as per Reuters, India may allow limited imports only for ethanol output.
Bangladesh’s move to import corn from the US comes amid trade tensions with Washington. Bangladesh has a whopping $6 billion trade deficit with the US.
