With the Eid-ul-Azha iat the doorstep, the cattle markets have become crowded in Chuadanga district and the sale of animals has increased. On the occasion of the sacrifice, the crowd of buyers and sellers is increasing in the cattle markets of Chuadanga. However, although the import of animals is high, the trade is relatively low due to the high price. On the other hand, bargaining is going on between buyers and sellers who come to buy animals.
Shialmari cattle market, Dugdugi market, Munshiganj market and Alamdanga cattle market of Chuadanga district are as of now, gaining momentum. A week ago, Cattle from Chuadanga started going to different districts of the country including Dhaka. The amount of cows, buffaloes, goats and sheep produced in this district meets the local demand as well as a large part of the country's demand.
The local livestock department said there was a surplus of sacrificial cows, buffaloes, goats and sheep compared to the demand of the district. The farmers of this region mainly keep Shahiwal and Friesian breeds of cattle. Straw, husk, grass, corn, rice husk etc. are given as cattle feed. Farmers do not use any hormonal drugs to fatten cows.
According to the Chuadanga District Animal Resources Department, there are 11,160 small and large farms in the district. Of these, 1,195 are in Chuadanga Sadar Upazila, 5,195 in Alamdanga Upazila, 2,504 in Damurhuda Upazila and 2,260 in Jibannagar Upazila. 1 lakh 50 thousand 562 animals are ready for sacrifice in these farms. Of these, 31,071 are cows, 138 are buffaloes, 1 lakh 17,038 are goats and 1,526 are sheep. This time there is a demand of 6,796 sacrifices in the district. Of these, 20,745 are in Chuadanga Sadar Upazila, 22,625 in Alamdanga Upazila, 18,626 in Damurhuda Upazila and 26,500 in Jivannagar Upazila. This time there will be a surplus of 72,006 sacrificial animals to meet the local demand. Of these, 6,720 are in Chuadanga Sadar Upazila, 24,456 in Alamdanga Upazila, 11,317 in Damurhuda Upazila and 19,341 in Jibannagar Upazila. These animals can be used to meet the demand in Dhaka and other districts.
Abul Kalam, a farmer from Anantapur village in Jibannagar upazila, said, “I built the farm 3 years ago. There are a total of 20 cows in the farm. Out of which 16 cows have been prepared for sale. If the price of cattle is at the current market price then the farmers will benefit.
Rahim Sheikh, a farmer from Senerhuda village in the same upazila, said, “I started a farm five years ago as a hobby. I currently have 10 cows on my farm. Of which I have sold three cows. The rest of the cows are expected to be sold in the middle of Eid. If there is such a price then I can benefit.
Abul Bashar, a farmer from Laxmipur village in Jibannagar upazila, said, “I had 70 cows suitable for sacrifice. I have already sold 20 cows for 1 crore 10 lakh Tk. I still have 30 cows on my farm. These cows are bigger in size. I can't say there will be profit or loss until it is sold. Food prices are much higher this year than last. The number of sacrificial cows suitable for sale in the area is less than last year. Buying and selling will be less than last year.
Habel Uddin, a farmer of Alamdanga upazila, said, "I have sold 60 cows since the last sacrifice." I have sold 4-5 cows at a loss. The rest of the cows have been sold for profit. Compared to last year, the price of food is 15-20 rupees more per kg this year. Each cow is spending 10-12 thousand Tk per month for food.
Liakat Hossain, a farmer from Alukdia village in Chuadanga Sadar upazila, said, "I have 10 cows on my farm." I hope 10 cows will be sold for 15 lakh Tk.
Sanwar Hossain, a farmer from Hampania village in Alamdanga upazila, said he could not sell cows at a fair price as the cattle markets were closed for the last two years due to the epidemic of Coronavirus. However, as there is no ban this year, he will be able to sell it at a good price at the cattle market. Moreover, with the opening of the Padma Bridge, he will be able to easily go to the cattle market in the capital to sell cows. Good prices are also available there. But if cows come from India, the price of domestic cattle will go down. He hopes he can make a profit this year if Indian cows stop coming.
Monarul Islam, a buyer who came to buy cattle at Shialmari Haat, said, “I buy cows from the farm every year. There are benefits to buying cows
from the farm. Cows can be kept on the farm till Eid. There is no extra hassle of taking it home. However, the price of cattle is a little higher this year.”
Nasim Uddin, a buyer who came to the market to buy cows, said he was looking for a medium cow to sacrifice. This year the price seems to be more than 20 to 30 thousand Tk per cow. Since people have to sacrifice, they have to buy cows at a higher price.
Chuadanga District Livestock Officer Golam Mostafa said that about 32,900 cows and buffaloes have been slaughtered in the district for sacrifice this time. About 82% of the cows will go to different parts of the country to meet the demand of Chuadanga. Besides, 1 lakh 17 thousand 573 goats and sheep have been prepared for sacrifice this time. In order to produce safe and healthy animals in the farms, the farmers are being provided various assistance including regular advice from the Livestock Department. Sacrificial animals have started being sold in different hats and farms of the district. Outbreaks of coronavirus have been reported to farmers at various times.
Farmers will meet the demand in different parts of the country including Dhaka-Chattogram. "We have a vision to prevent Indian cows from entering our country in any way," he added. He also said that the farmers will get a fair price for the sacrificial animals this time.
The district's cattle ranches have been locked down for the past two years due to the outbreak of the epidemic coronavirus. As there is no ban this year, sales are going on in 6 cattle markets of the district. If all goes well, the farmers will see the face of profit this year. Besides, to avoid suffering at the ferry terminal, the farmers are being advised to take the sacrificial animals to the cattle market of the capital through Padma Bridge.