Cattle farmers are worried over poor sale and low price of the sacrificial animals ahead of Eid-ul-Azha.
The selling of sacrificial animals at the cattle markets will be reduced to a great extent compared to recent years due to Covid-19 situation, sources said.
According to Department of Livestock Services, some 1.1 crore cattle will be needed for Eid-ul-Azha this year. About 1.19 crore cows, goats, buffaloes and sheep are prepared in the farms over the country. Therefore, at least 9 lakh cattle will remain unsold those were prepared marking the Eid.
Meanwhile, half of the cattle have not been sold in the regular market in the last three months due to the Coronavirus pandemic. The farmers are also waiting to sell these cows ahead of Eid. The number of these unsold animals will be 10 to 15 lakh.
According to market analysts and leaseholders of cattle markets, 10 percent of the cattle came at the market were not sold last year. Farmers had faced losses as they could not sell about 10 lakh cows and goats. However, those who were able to sell at the beginning, made a profit.
According to the Bangladesh Dairy Farmers Association, “At least 20 percent cattle will remain unsold than the demand given by the government. Because buyers don’t have money.”
On the other hand, they do not have sufficient money to bring cows from the farm to the market and truck fare is also higher this time.
Mehedi Hasan Azim, general secretary of the Bangladesh Agriculture Youtuber Association said, “A lot of cows were unsold at the cattle markets last year.
It is already understood that many people will not be able to buy sacrificial animal. Many middle-class people have become now unemployed.
Rich people, those who used to sacrifice eight to ten animals would buy two to three this year. Many people will reduce the budget for Eid-ul-Azha.”
Shah Imran, general secretary of the Dairy Farmers Association said, “Country’s educated youths started cattle farming with great enthusiasm over the last few years. They invested mostly from family sources.
General farmers have also increased the rearing of cows and goats expecting a good profit. These enthusiastic youths and farmers would face a huge loss for corona situation this year.”
Cattle farmers said, “Many of us bought cows after taking loans from NGOs. They had to buy food for their cattle by borrowing money. In this situation, if they do not get a fair price of cattle, they will be in a jeopardy.
Normally, cattle trades buy cows and goats from farmers one or two months before Eid-ul-Azha. But, trades hardly contact farmers to buy cattle this year.
Local traders and farmers said, “We can’t sell animals even after taking them to local markets and offering a low price.”
Ramzan Ali, a cattle farmer from Natore, said, “The situation of cattle market is very bad now. I have reared 17 cows. Three of these cows will be 15 maunds of meat. I dreamt to sell each of these at Tk 7 lakh. But I’m not getting any buyers or traders at this moment.”
Haider Ali, a farmer from Tangail, told Bangladesh Post, “The price of cows at markets is very low. On the other hand, no trader has come to see my cows. I can’t understand what is in my fortune this time. I am very worried over selling my 30 cows.”
Meanwhile, the beef selling at different slaughterhouses in the capital also reduced by almost half due to Covid-19 pandemic.
Afzal Mia, a meat seller at Malibagh told Bangladesh Post, “The demand of beef reduced to great extent compared to previous years. Normally, we used to sell at least 30 to 40 cows and 30 goats per month from my shop. But, last month, I only sold 7 cows and 10 goats.”
