Ahead of Eid-ul-Azha, Satkhira is seeing a large surplus of sacrificial animals, with around 18,000 animals expected to remain unsold after meeting local demand. While this reflects growth in domestic livestock production, many farmers are worried about recovering their investment due to rising fodder prices.
According to the District Livestock Department, a total of 12,894 farms across Satkhira have prepared animals for this year’s Eid market. These include more than 49,000 cows, 44,000 goats, and around 6,000 sheep. Officials say livestock production in the district has increased by 2–3% compared to last year.
Although the continued absence of Indian cattle in local markets has created opportunities for local farmers, the sharp increase in the price of animal feed has become a major challenge. Farmers report that the prices of wheat bran, maize, soybean meal, and other essential feed ingredients have risen significantly over the past year, increasing overall production expenses.
Many farmers fear they may face financial losses if market prices do not match their expectations. Mehedi Hasan, a farmer from Kaliganj upazila, said that soaring fodder prices have made cattle farming much more expensive.
Md Rafiqul Islam, a farmer from Ashashuni upazila, expressed similar concerns. He explained that maintaining cattle has become difficult because of high daily feeding costs. According to him, the large number of animals available this year means competition among sellers will be intense, making fair prices uncertain.
Some farmers have invested heavily in raising large cattle. Jahangir Hossain from Satkhira Sadar said he has two large cows worth around Tk 800,000 each. However, he is uncertain whether buyers will have enough purchasing power this year due to the current economic situation.
Marginal farmers are also under pressure. Amena Begum from Kalaroa upazila has prepared two cows and three goats for sale. She said prolonged heatwaves and unfavorable weather conditions caused a shortage of natural green grass, forcing farmers to depend more on costly commercial feed. She hopes at least to recover the value of her hard work even if profits remain low.
Despite these concerns, some farmers remain optimistic. Majnu Mali from Bokchara village said he raised 10 cows using local grass and natural feed instead of chemical-based products. By reducing dependence on commercial feed, he managed to lower production costs and expects to earn reasonable profits during Eid.
Satkhira District Livestock Officer Dr F M Mannan Kabir said the district has enough livestock to meet local demand and expressed the hope that farmers would benefit from the continued halt in Indian cattle imports. He also noted that surveillance has been strengthened to prevent illegal cattle entry through border routes.
Experts believe the increase in domestic livestock production is positive for the rural economy and has reduced dependence on imported animals. However, they warn that unless feed prices are controlled, many small-scale farmers may lose interest in livestock farming in the future.