Although about one and a half lakh cows are ready for sacrifice on Eid-ul-Adha at the cattle farms of Tangail, the buyers not seen as well causing non-establishment of hats (Selling Point) due to Covid-19 infection. There is an online market launched, it is not growing due to lack of clear idea of online selling and buying. As a result, farmers and ranchers are worried about the sale of sacrificial animals.
District Animal Husbandry Department stated that there are more than 600 cattle farms in 12 upazilas of Tangail district. The farms have approximately 95,200 sacrificial cows ready for sale. Besides, about 50,000 animals have been fattened and prepared for selling on Eid-ul-Adha market.
According to sources of the government, there is a demand for 84,220 (by the ratio of last two years) cows for holy-sacrifice in the district. But according to general sources, the number is about one and a half lakh. The cattle markets in the district have been closed due to severe lockdown in the country due Covid-19 infection. The leaseholders have tried to set up 3-4 haats at the district on their own initiative, but district and upazila administration closed those. They are awaiting for the government's decision to set up sacrificial markets before Eid-ul-Adha.
Meanwhile, the district administration has launched 13 online pages to encourage online shopping among people. Of these 6/7 haats closed on the Social Media Facebook page, 12 are in 12 upazilas of the district and one is under the control of the district administration. Till Thursday, pictures with details of 3,081 animals have been uploaded on these pages. Of these, 132 sacrificial animals have been sold online by the government.
Farmers Jahangir Alam, Bulbul Hossain, Dabir Uddin, Azizur Rahman, Bablu Mia, Ramzan Ali, Lalchan Mia, Nazrul Islam and many others said that they usually buy 2-4 bulls and calves every year. Everyone in the family works more or less for fattening the animals. They make quite a profit by selling at the time of Eid-ul-Adha. This year they have bought and fattened bulls and calves too. But this time, as there is a severe lockdown due to the increase in Covid-19 infection. As a result, no wholesaler has yet come to buy their cows. Their cows are just at home as the market is closed. Since they have no idea about the online selling of the cows, it is impossible to communicate there. All in all, they have lost their way with the cows this time.
Shah Aziz Talukder, owner of Beena Agro Farm at Baluchara area of Tangail Municipality said he was raising 15 indigenous breeds of cows ahead of Eid-ul-Adha. He has already invested Tk 20 lakh in the purchase and rearing of cows. He did not get the expected response when he tried online as the market during Corona Pandemic is remain closed. He hopes that if Indian cows are not imported to the country, he will earn a profit again.
Dulal Hossain Chakdar, owner of Chakdar Cattle Farm which is a large farm from Bhuapur said that he has fattened 100 bulls and oxen for the Eid-ul-Adha this year. Of these, 40 are bulls and 60 are bulls. This time he insisted on selling cows online because of Corona. He is trying to attract the attention of the buyers by opening a page on Facebook with pictures of the cows. It has received a good response. People are communicating online every day while wholesalers are also coming to see themselves on Facebook. As of Thursday, he had sold 27 bulls and oxen.
The country's second largest cattle market Bhuapur Gobindasi cattle market lessee Liton Mandal said, this larger haat has lost its attraction due to various local complications. Corona’s hard blow has appeared as a stab wound to death for them too.
Due to severe lockdown, the upazila administration has stopped transactions at the market. Besides, buyers and wholesalers are not able to come due to lockdown. Last year, there was a lot of loss with the lease of the hat. If this continues, the Gobandisi cattle market will survive hardly to exist. Md. Rana Mia, Animal Husbandry Officer of Tangail District said that the haat-bazaar is closed due to severe lockdown. A total of 13 Facebook pages have been opened in 12 upazilas of the district and a page with the initiative of the district administration and animal resources department to sell and buy the animals for sacrifice. These pages have created opportunities for buyers and general farmers to trade animals online. Many ones are taking this opportunity. A decision will be taken to set up a cattle market to be continued, if the government gives instructions.
