M.A. Awal, Narsingdi :
A large number of local cattle including bullocks, cows and buffaloes are being taken to different sacrificial markets including the biggest Potia Market at Shibpur Upazila in the district one week ahead of Eid-ul-Azha .
According to sources , a total of 105 cattle head markets are running in the district. The upazila wise markets are as, sadar-31, Belabo-10, Monohardi 19, Shibpur-11, Polash 06 and Raipura 28. On the other hand hast of the cattle heads are being attacked by leg disease (khura) while the customers are not interested to purchase as it is not perfect for sacrifice in the Eid-ul-Azha.
Animal Livestock Officer Dr. Abdus Samad told The New Nation that above one lakh cows have been supplied on ahead of Eid-ul-Azha from 532 diary farms and 4000 readers in different markets.
The owner of Baki Diary farm Sharifuzzaman of Basail under Narsingdi city said, the number of cow traders is less than previous years as the local traders are interested to purchase a little cows.
Even the cows and buffeters of Lustration spices are not selling satisfactorily causing profit of the owners. The importance of the second biggest cows market in the country Potia fall off due to communication problem.
The leasee of potia hat Abdul Jalil Member told this correspondent that this hat always sat on Saturday while it also sat two days including Wednesday too on ahead Eid.
Farmer Nazrul Islam of South Mirjanagar village returning have with lies Australian cow as it was raised 2.25 lakh as pries which was sold at tk 2.00 lakh last year. Another tradev Abdul Mannan of village Kumradi saed his bullock profit Tk 10 Thousands as the buyers told Tk 55 thousands.
Trader Khorshed Miah of same area told that he brought three bullocks on upcoming Eid-ul-Azha for sale while one bullock died of leg (khura) disease attacked valued Tk. 56000. The indian cows are not available at potia market this year. The trader Amjad Hossain said.
According to different cattle head market sources ari extra large bull in now being sold at rates between Taka 60,000 to 70,000 against last years rate of Taka 1,00,000 to Taka 1,50,000 and large one at Taka 70,000 to 75,000 against last years rate of Taka 40000 to 45,0000.
A mediun-size bull in selling at Taka 35,000 to 40,000 against last years aver age rate of Taka 40,000 to 45,000 while small one is being sold at Taka 30,000 to 32000 with possibilities of price reduction ahead of the Eid-ul-Azha festivity.
However, prices of goats are comparatively higher this year and a big goat is being sold at Tk 40,000 to 50,000 medium-size at Tk 15,000 to 20,000 while a small one is being sold at Taka 6,000 to 7,500 at different markets now the sources said.
Sylhet Correspondent says: The sales and bargaining of sacrificial animals at various cattle markets in Sylhet have been geared up ahead of Eid-ul-Azha.
Cattle traders said despite import of a significant number of Indian cattle head, cattle markets are flooded with locally bred and reared cattle and goats.
Although there was a massive supply of cattlehead at Sylhet haat, there was not sufficient number of customers at the haat yet. Cattle traders at this haat have complained they were charging a low price of cattleheads because of low turnout of customers while customers at the haat, on the other hand, were complaining the price of sacrificial animals this year was a bit higher compared to previous years.
Sylhet haat situated Kazirbazar is the largest cattle haat of the district. Cattle traders and customers from all around the country visit this haat for a suitable bargain. Though the haat is generally held on Monday and Friday in the week, due to ensuing Eid, the haat is now held daily.
After visiting the haat on Tuesday, this correspondent found a huge supply of locally bred and reared cattleheads and goats. Although there was a small supply of Indian smuggled cattle and buffaloes, demands of locally bred and reared cattle and goats were the most.
Abdul Hamid , a cattle trader of Dakshin Surma upazila, said he had carried four locally bred cattle at the haat of which two have been sold. But, he complained, the price of cattle heads was lower as per expectation of the cattle rearers and cattle traders this year compared to last years. He further informed, this year a sacrificial bull or a calf is being sold by estimating Tk 20,000 to Tk 25,000 per maund of flesh derived from it after processing and slaughtering.
Anwar, a buffalo trader, the price of sacrificial animals this year was a bit lower. Moreover, the turnout of customers at various haats of the district was also very low. He opined, due to flood, higher price of essentials and economic insolvency, many people this year will not be able to purchase cattleheads for sacrificial purposes.
Afsaruddin , a leasee of the haat said, supply of Indian cattleheads was scanty this year and there was a sufficient number of locally reared cattle heads but the number of customers was very low here. However, he hoped, the number of customers would increase as the Eid approaching.
One of the cattle traders at the haat also said most of Indian cattle are carried to Dhaka, Chittagong because in those region there are many comparatively well off people and they like to sacrifice large cattle. He further said the price of Indian cattle was also higher and, in addition to the price of the cattle, it costs further Tk 3,000 for each cow as charge. As a result, local cattle traders are reluctant to bring Indian cattlehead in local haat.
BSS from Rajshahi reports: With only five days left for the Eid-ul-Azha, the second largest religious festival for the Muslims, cattle markets in the city and nine upazilas of the district along with its adjacent areas have gained momentum with numerous buyers and hundreds of sacrificial animals.
A huge number of sacrificial animals are being brought for sale at different cattle markets like City haat, Naohata haat, Baneswar haat, Keshor haat, Kanthakhali haat, Rajabari haat, Kakonhat, Mohisalbari haat and Machmoil haat.
Rajshahi City Corporation allowed installation of eight makeshift cattle markets in the metropolis which began to draw huge cattle, including imported ones from Myanmar as well as India.
Traders said there were plenty of supplies of cattle in the markets and their prices were similar to the last Eid-ul-Azha.
The price of an ideal sized cow or buffalo ranges starts from Taka 30,000 to 80,000 and a sheep or goat from Taka 8,000 to 25,000.
In addition to the city’s biggest cattle market-City haat-, some temporary markets have been set up at Court Bazar, Shaheb Bazar Zero point, Railway Station, Court Station, Naodapara Aam Chattar and Kazla.
Besides the local buyers, the wholesale cattle traders especially from Chittagong and Dhaka are still purchasing heads of cattle from those haats and sending those to various places in the country for sale.
This year, the demand for domestic animals for sacrificial purposes seemingly increased as the wholesalers are sending large animal consignments to different big markets from Rajshahi. The price of sacrificial animals was steady but the price may shoot up a bit because of the soaring price of animal food and transport cost this year.
The farmers said because of high prices of fodder, many farm owners sold their cattle and opted for other trades as it was not possible for the farmers to gain profit in this business.
BSS from Khulna adds: Officials of Khulna Livestock Department said there is no need to import cattle on the occasion of Eid-ul-Azha as adequate numbers of cattle have been reared in the region this year.
“The demand for sacrificial animals in Khulna division during the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha can be met with locally-reared livestock,” said Dr Arun Kanti Mondal, additional district livestock officer in Khulna today.
The livestock department had to import cattle a few years back, he said, adding that the scenario has changed a lot and the entire demand of sacrificial animals can be met with local cattle.
According to the livestock office, the demand for sacrificial animals in Khulna this year stands at 1, 12,365 which are 31,943 more compared to the last year.
A total of 57,827 sacrificial animals have been reared locally and the rest 54,538 would be met from animals brought from other districts.
“A good number of the cattle have been reared at 2,053 farms in the district. Moreover, a lot of people also reared cattle in their homestead in nine upazilas in Khulna,” he added.
