Record cattle supply in Rajshahi sacrificial animal markets

With only two days left for the Eid-ul-Azha, sacrificial animal sale reached peak despite comparatively higher price amid record supply following surplus production in cattle markets of Rajshahi division.

The cattle markets have been witnessing plenty of supply of locally reared sacrificial animals following a remarkable boost in the local animal husbandry sector in recent years, reports BSS. 

According to market sources, the buyers prefer locally reared healthier and hygienic cattle-heads as sacrificial animals than the artificially fattened or extremely lower number of imported ones.

As a whole, the boosted up native cattle production has been dominating the markets of sacrificial animals. In most of the cattle markets, the buyers were seen opting to purchase native animals.

By virtue of house-to-house cattle and goat farming everywhere, the region has become home of surplus sacrificial animals counting to around 1.5 lakh compared to its demand.

Dr Nazrul Islam, divisional director of Department of Livestock Services, told BSS that the region needs around two lakh animals to meet up the demand of sacrifice but it has around three and a half lakh animals eligible for the purpose.

Local animal husbandry sector has marked a revolutionary boost in recent years following massive steps taken by the government and different development organisations.

Both rural and urban areas, the poor and marginalised people including women have achieved tremendous successes in the sector getting various assistance from the government and development partners.

Artificial insemination of cows is gaining popularity in the region following significant achievement in improving the breeding system.

Due to the cross breeding, the cows are giving milk 10 times more than the previous record, said Arafat Hossain, a successful dairy farmer in the city.

He said the producers have adopted new and improved practices and technologies in bull rearing and fattening contributing to enhanced production and productivity.

The size of the market has expanded due to the growing active role of large and small-scale private companies.

Atiqur Rahman Kalu, Lease Holder of City Hat, said the cattle markets are witnessing a record supply of sacrificial animals in the adjacent districts following huge boost in the local animal husbandry sector in recent years. 

He mentioned that the local animal husbandry sector has marked a revolutionary boost in recent years following massive steps taken by the government and different development organizations. 

Both in rural and urban areas, the poor and marginalized people including women have achieved tremendous successes in the sector getting various assistance from the government and development partners. 

Cattle markets here have no scarcity of sacrificial animals with plenty of local animals. 

Rajshahi City Corporation allowed installation of eight makeshift cattle markets in the city which began to draw huge cattle.

Traders said there were plenty of supplies of cattle in the markets and their prices were similar to the last Eid-ul-Azha. The price of an ideal sized cow or buffalo starts from Tk 30,000 to 80,000 and a sheep or goat can be purchased from Tk 5,000 to 25,000 according to size.

In addition to the city's biggest cattle market-City haat, some temporary markets have been set up at Court Bazaar, Shaheb Bazaar Zero point, Railway Station, Court Station, Naodapara AamChattar and Kazla.

Meanwhile, currency-screening machines were installed in some of the cattle markets in the city and nine upazilas of the district with a view to resisting the use of fake notes on the occasion of holy Eid-ul-Azha. 

Anisur Rahman, Commissioner of Rajshahi Metropolitan Police (RMP), told journalists that all-out security measures were taken to check law and order in and around the cattle markets.

"Besides, we have introduced a special traffic management system to ease traffic congestion in and around cattle markets in the city," he pointed out.

RMP installed temporary security camps at every cattle market here. Besides, 'patrol teams and plainclothes police were also deployed,' added RMP chief. 

Necessary measures were also taken so that the cattle markets are not set up on roads and streets disrupting the vehicles movement.