Both traders and buyers are apparently going to appear in a nerve test as the leaseholders of the capitals’ makeshift cattle markets are set to officially open the sale of sacrificial animals on Monday amid adequate cattle supply.
As the city dwellers have only five days to buy their sacrificial animals during the Eid-ul-Azah, the leaseholders hope that their markets will draw the rush of buyers from the opening day if there is a fair weather.
Sacrificial animals will be sold at 22 makeshift cattle markets –13 under the Dhaka South City Corporations (DSCC) and nine others under the Dhaka North City Corporation-and at permanent market Gabtoli this year, said officials of the two city corporations.
However, six haats-two in DNCC and four in DSCC – still did not get the formal permission.
The officials said the markets in the capital are likely to witness higher number of cattle this time than the previous years as people from flood-affected areas have long been sending their animals to the city alongside the good inflow of the imported ones. Some traders who raised cattle locally for the eid market, voiced worry over getting the due prices of their animals as the supply of Indian sacrificial animals is growing with the passage of time.
Visiting the city’s different cattle markets, it was seen that the leaseholders decorated their respective markets with banners, festoons, and colorful lighting and set up loudspeakers and toll collection booths.
Though the markets will be opened to traders and buyers today, some overenthusiastic buyers have started visiting the big markets and some of them are also buying cattle.
Afatab Nagar cattle market leaseholder M Abdur Rahman said their market has already got a good stock of cattle while traders have continued bringing animals. “We hope we’ll get good customers on the very first day.”
Mojibur Rahman, former general secretary of Gabtoli Cattle Market Association, said the cattle traders are facing difficulties in bringing their animals to the capital due to Eid rush on highways and dilapidated conditions of many roads, mainly in the flood-hit northern region.
Talking to UNB at Aftab Nagar market, Abdullah a cattle trader who came from said they brought 22 local bulls to the market. “We’ve to spend Tk 2,000-3,000 every day here. But we’re worried whether we’ll get the fair prices as the supply of cattle this year seems more than last year’s.”
Anther trader, Abul Kalam, who came from Jessore with 16 medium-size bulls at Gabtoli haat said he is getting frustrated as the flow of Indian cattle is increasing gradually alongside the increased number of local cattle.
Cattle trader Abul Hashem at Dhupkhola cattle market said he came there with 10 cattle from Rajshahi. “People may this year buy cattle at the last moment as those are visiting the market now offering very low prices. “I won’t sell the cattle at throwaway prices. I think I’ll able to make a good profit if I can sell the cattle observing the market trend.” Another trader, Mohammad Musa, at Shonir Akhra market said he took 14 bulls to the market hoping good prices. “I’m not sure what will be the market trend this year as people are saying the supply of cattle is very higher this time than previous year.”
Chief Estate Officer of Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Aminul Islam said they have already leased out eight cattle hats, including permanent one at Gabtoli. “We’re going to allow two more cattle hats-Banorupa and Ashian City.” He said officially traders will start selling their animals from Monday and it will continue till the eid prayers.
However, Aminul said the traders have been bringing the cattle to different markets for the last one week. “As many northern areas have long been affected with flood, people from those districts, especially Dinajpur, Kurigram, Rajshahi and Kushtia, have been sending their cattle to the haats in the capital.”
Chief Waste Management Officer of DNCC Commodore Dr Abdur Razzak said around 2.15 to 2.50 lakh animals are likely to be sacrificed during the eid under the North City Corporation.
Additional Chief Waste Management Officer of the DSCC Khandaker Millatul Islam said they have leased out 9 cattle haats out of 13. “The rest four haats will also be given permission for selling the cattle.”
He said, over 2 lakh sacrificial animals are likely to be sacrificed under the DSCC.
Livestock department spokesman Dr Abdul Hailm said nearly five lakh cattle, including cow, buffalo, got and sheep, are supposed to be slaughtered during the eid festival in the capital. Robiul Alam, secretary general of Bangladesh Meat Merchant Association, said around 3.5 lakh cows and over 1.50 lakh goats, sheep and buffalos will be sacrificed this year. Mojibur Rahman, president of Bangladesh cattle traders association, said the current stock of cattle in the city markets is good while the he number cattle supply to the city will get increased from Monday. “At present, there’re over 2 lakh cattle only for Gabtoli cattle market.”
