Prices of home-reared cattle on rise as India bans export

Cattle farmers in different areas are now busy taking care of the animals ahead the Eid-ul-Azha while the prices of local cattle see sharp rise mainly due to ban on export of cattle to Bangladesh from neighbouring India.

Our Pabna correspondent reports: The prices of cattle meant for sacrifice has increased by 15 to 20 percent ahead of the Eid-ul-Azha in the local markets, compared to last year.

"Most of the cattle farmers want to sell their animals quite a few days before the Eid to get money. Taking the opportunity, the traders and middlemen buy cattle from the farmers for relatively low prices and go for sale before Eid-ul-Azha with bumper profit," Md Yeakub Ali, lease holder of Ullapara cattle market of Sirajganj told this correspondent last Friday.

The cattle from Ullapara go to different big cattle markets in Dhaka and Chittagong, he said.

"I have bought around 20 sacrificial animals from the farmers and local markets for Tk 60 thousand to one lakh last couple of weeks, targeting to sell in the capital for Tk 80 thousand to 1.20 lakh this year," said Md Abul Hossain at Ultodab village of Shahzadpur upazila.

A total of 19.54 lakh sacrificial animals are ready for sale in the Eid markets this year in Rajshahi division, the biggest cattle producing zone in the country, while it was 17 lakh during last year, said Md Mohir Uddin, deputy director of Rajshahi divisional livestock office.

"Cattle rearing has increased in last couple of years. At least 20 percent local cattle have been added this year and so, there is nothing to be worried about shortage of animals ahead of Eid," he said.

Our Nilphamari Correspondent reports: Thousands of people in remote Teesta chars of district's Dimla and Jaldhaka upazila are now busy taking care of their reared cattle to make them more attractive for selling as sacrificial animals before the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha.

However, following a ban by neighbouring India on exporting cows to Bangladesh, price of cattle has increased by 40-50 percent in local markets recently, much to the worry of people willing to sacrifice animals.

Rearing of bullocks, cows, oxen, buffaloes, sheep, and goats sees rapid progress under the government's Comprehensive Chars Livelihoods Programme aided by several NGOs, said District Livestock Officer Shahjahan Khondakar.

The animals are fattened by feeding wheat, maize and pulses powder, green grass, straw and vitamins after de-worming them.

During a recent visit to different Teesta chars like Purbo Kharibari, Uttor Kharibari, Kisamoter Char, Tapur Char, Kisamat Satnai, Satunama, Sati Ghat and Chhoto Khata, this correspondent saw thousands of cattle are grazing in vast lands covered with green grass.

Our Patuakhali correspondent adds: Cattle rearing sees rise in the district as the business brings good profit, especially ahead of Eid-ul-Azha.

"I bought 55 cattle from different markets in February this year for Tk 30,000 to Tk 60,000 each. I feed them grass, straw, oil-cake, bran, grass, wheat, maize and molasses. I hope to sell those for Tk 50,000 to 1.50 lakh each before the Eid," said Shamsul Haque Fakir of Bahalgachia village under Patuakhai Sadar upazila.

The number of cow farms has increased to 756 from 401 last year, the district livestock office sources said.

Patuakhali District Livestock Officer Md Abdur Rahman said around 29,000 cattle and 5,000 goats have been fattened in 756 farms in the district ahead of Eid this year.