Buyers preferring native cattle for Eid sacrifice

The price of sacrificial animals is higher than the previous years, although buyers, traders and others involved with the cattle markets are happy as the supply of native cattle is adequate in local market. Cattle traders hint that they will be able to send animals to other district after fulfilling locals’ demand. During a visit to Jatrapur cattle market in Sadar upazila of the district this correspondent found that a few number of Indian cattle, but buyers were  not interested to buy the exported cattle instead of local variety. Kofil Uddin, a trader of the market, said: “Last year local cows were placed in the out side of the market but this year home-reared cattle are the main attraction of the market.” Liakat Ali, a local cattle breeder of the district, said: “I brought three cows in the market and hoped that I would able to sell those at Tk3 lakh.” “Though local animal’s price is higher than the Indian, the local cattle is safe for health where the Indian cattle has some serious health hazards,” said Parvez, a buyer of the market. People involved with the market noted that in the last year around 500-1,000 Indian cattle were produced per day at the market and now the number is only 150-200. A few traders of the market said it was blessing for all of us that there are fewer number of Indian cattle produced in the market than previous year which will encourage locals to rear more animals. Claiming that this year the price of local cows is higher than previous year Abdul Gafur, ex-chairman and spoke person of Jatrapur cattle market lessee said to this correspondent that: “There are adequate number of local cattle in the market and there is no need to produced Indian cattle to meet the demand.” According to District Animal Resource Department, a total 44,000 animals will be slaughtered on the occasion of Eid ul-Azha and nearly 38,000 cows will come from the local breeders. Another three thousands buffaloes and 19,500 goats will helps to fulfill the demand. Veterinary Surgeon Dr. Md Habibur Rahman said: “Doctors will be present at the market to examine the health of the animal.”