Cattle markets in Bogura district has not gain momentum yet though Eid-ul-Azha is at the doorstep. Although there are more animals than the demand in the district, this time the price is also quite high.
The cost of raising animals has gone up due to the rise in the price of cattle feed, but the sellers are disappointed as there are less buyers in the market. Meanwhile, as the prices are higher, the buyers are waiting for a more tamed market situation. They are looking around the different markets to buy the animal of their choice.
Although there are a large number of animals in the markets of Bogura, the buyers are less and there is a mixed reaction among the buyers and sellers regarding the price. According to the Department of Animal Resources, there will be a surplus of animals this time to meet the demand of the district. Around Eid-ul-Azha, the farmers of Bogura have reared a lot of cows of local breeds including foreign breeds. Farmers are now expecting better prices by raising native breeds of cows and goats including Friesian from Australia, Brahma Cross from America, Indian Shahiwal, Gir from Nepal with natural food. Every year when Eid comes, they earn extra income by selling cows. In addition to small and big farms, many people have been fattening cows for 4 months ahead of Eid. The cost of animal husbandry has also increased several times this year due to increase in the cost of animal feed and other expenses including labor wages. As a result, the price of sacrificial animals is higher than last year.
In the meantime, sales have started in farms and huts. Although the import of animals is more at the market, the number of buyers is less. Buyers from other districts, including the capital, have not yet come to the Bogura market. After visiting Dhaper Hat and Mahasthan Hat, it was seen that a large number of buyers have come to the market with their cows and goats. However, due to the low number of buyers, there is not much trade.
The seller Rafiqul, Shamsul and several others said that the cost of raising animals has increased this time, so the price of cattle is also higher. Buyers are likely to call everyone who looks appropriate, if there are only a few. Besides, every year traders from different districts including the capital come to buy cows and goats from Bogura Hat, but this time those traders have not come that way yet. Sajjad of the city has brought huge Brahma breed cows to Mahasthan Hat. Although the price was three and a half lakh Tk, the buyer said two lakh Tk. He said he would sell the cow only if it was 3 lakh. Meanwhile, buyers showed mixed reaction to the price. Several buyers said that if they have cows and goats of their choice, the price seems to be higher this time according to their budget. The price of animals at this market is much higher than last year, so they will buy animals after visiting a few markets.
According to the office of the District Livestock Department official, 47,015 farmers from 12 upazilas of the district have sacrificed a total of 4,26,295 cattle ahead of the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha. This year, there is a demand of 359,365 animals in the district ahead of Eid-ul-Adha. There are 8,920 animals in excess of the demand. Among these animals, cows (bulls, oxen and cows) are 2 lakh 8 thousand 8 hundred 98, buffaloes are 1 thousand 8 hundred 33, goats are 1 lakh 29 thousand 5 hundred 36 and sheep are 26 thousand 2 hundred 26. About 3.5 lakh animals were slaughtered in the district last Eid.
Talking to farmers, it was learned that the cost of fodder and other expenses including labor wages have gone up a lot this year. Therefore, the cost of animal husbandry has increased several times. They said the price of a sack of husk is 1,650 Tk. Straw bale 12 to 15 Tk. If a cow is to be fattened, it has to be reared for at least 6 months. As the price of cattle feed has gone up, cows have to be sold at higher prices. However, the price of cattle may go beyond the purchasing power of the middle class. So, they are worried about the market situation.
Bogura District Livestock Officer (in charge) said. Md. Saiful Islam, Farmers and ranchers have been advised to fatten the animals by eating native food without using drugs harmful to human health. As the demand for domestic cattle is high in the market, we hope that the farmers will benefit.
