In Bera upazila of Pabna, the farmers are in dire straits with the sacrificial animals. On the one hand, the corona virus and on the other hand, the flood waters have submerged the cattle grazing lands on the banks of the river, leaving the farmers in crisis.
Meanwhile, farmers are worried about the animals being prepared for sacrifice. There are only a few days left for Eid but so far, the trade of animals in different animal markets has not been satisfactory.
Although there is animals in the market, the number of buyers is very low. The price of cattle has also come down due to low number of buyers and low demand.
Farmers are struggling with what to eat, what to do and where to keep the raw grass submerged in the flood waters. Due to this many farmers are being forced to sell their animals at a loss.
Ibrahim Mudi, a farmer from Jagannathpur village, said he provides four bulls for sale on Eid-ul-Adha every year in the hope of making a profit.
This year also we have made it worthy of sacrifice by providing. But as the news is not good at the cattle market this year, so far no trader has come to see the cows. I am really frustrated.
On the other hand, professional traders as well as seasonal animal traders are not seen in the market ahead of Eid-ul-Adha. Due to corona, the National Technical Advisory Committee recommended not setting up cattle markets in Dhaka, Chattogram, Narayanganj and Gazipur.
Besides, traders are not buying animals from rural areas for fear of losses as the number of cattle markets in the country's major cities, including the capital Dhaka.
However, every year two or three months in advance, traders buy bulls, oxen, buffaloes, goats and sheep prepared for sacrifice from different villages to sell at the cattle market.
The corona virus has worsened the financial situation of almost everyone. Due to the low number of animal sacrifices on Eid across the country, many farmers and livestock traders will not have a good business this year, many have commented that the scale of losses will be heavy.