More than 20 lakh sacrificial animals have been prepared in the eight districts of Rangpur Division ahead of Eid-ul-Azha. After meeting local demand, over 500,000 additional animals will be available for supply to Dhaka and other districts across the country.
Farmers and household cattle rearers have urged the government to strictly prevent the illegal smuggling or import of cattle from India, warning that an influx of foreign cattle could cause major financial losses for local producers.
According to the Department of Livestock Services, there is no need to import cattle from India, either legally or illegally, as Rangpur Division has already achieved self-sufficiency in livestock production. More than 20,000 cattle farms have been established across the division, generating employment for at least 100,000 people.
Officials from the Rangpur Divisional Livestock Office said a total of 2,023,146 cattle, goats, and sheep have been prepared for sacrifice this year, while local demand stands at approximately 14.66 lakh animals. This leaves a surplus of around 566,000 animals that can be supplied to other parts of the country, particularly Dhaka and southern districts.
Just a decade ago, northern districts such as Lalmonirhat, Kurigram, Nilphamari, and Thakurgaon relied heavily on cattle brought illegally across the Indian border to meet local meat demand. That situation has changed significantly in recent years.
In Rangpur district alone, more than 10,000 livestock farms have been developed, ranging from small family operations to large commercial farms with up to 500 cattle. Educated youths and rural families alike are now actively involved in livestock farming, helping meet year-round meat demand as well as seasonal Eid demand.
Thousands of rural households have also established mini-farms with two to five cattle each, making livestock farming an important source of income and self-employment across the region.
In the Mahiganj area of Rangpur city, hundreds of livestock farms have emerged. Farm owner Aslam Mia said his farm currently has 200 cattle, including 180 prepared for Eid-ul-Azha.
“Consumers now prefer local medium-sized cattle rather than very large animals,” he said. “We raise cattle according to market demand.”
However, he expressed concern over rising costs of feed, medicine, and other farming materials, warning that farmers may face losses without fair market prices.
“There is no need for Indian cattle anymore. Local farmers can fully meet the country’s demand,” he added.
Moslema Khatun, a farmer from Mithapukur upazila’s Boldipukur area, said her farm has 130 medium-sized cattle ready for sale. She noted that while livestock farming remains profitable, increasing feed prices are reducing earnings.
“If the government ensures affordable cattle feed and farming supplies, Bangladesh could even export livestock within the next five years,” she said.
Director of the Rangpur Divisional Livestock Department Dr Abdul Hye Sarkar, said Rangpur has become fully self-sufficient in sacrificial animals.
“After meeting local demand, Rangpur Division will supply more than half a million animals to other districts, including Dhaka,” he said.
He also stressed that Bangladesh no longer needs to rely on cattle imports from India, as domestic production is now capable of meeting national demand.