In the already crowded cattle markets of the capital ahead of Eid-ul-Azha, the recent influx of YouTubers and TikTokers has added to the chaos. Buyers and sellers are getting increasingly frustrated with the constant filming. These markets now often have more content creators than actual buyers.
The content creators make videos about various animals and their prices. They upload these videos to various channels and accounts on social media, often with false or altered information. As a result, many buyers face difficulties when they visit the markets.
Additionally, these YouTubers and TikTokers entice sellers to name their cattle after celebrities and popular figures such as Pori Moni, Shakib Khan, Zayed Khan, and Messi, and then they charge higher prices for them.
It is also reported that some content creators falsely understate the sellers' asking prices to make their videos more appealing.
Compared to previous years, the number of YouTubers and TikTokers in the capital's cattle markets has increased several times, according to traders and temporary cattle market authorities.
Situation worsens
Initially, these YouTubers gather information about the cattle from the sellers and record videos. They also stop buyers on their way out to ask about the prices they paid for the cattle and record these interactions. Many buyers and sellers have expressed their annoyance, saying that this year the situation has become irritating.
Despite their reluctance, they often end up being part of these videos. The YouTubers claim they make these videos to inform the public about market conditions and the real prices of the cattle so that potential buyers can have a better idea before coming to the market.
Eid-ul-Azha: How to take care of cattle before sacrificeA visit to the Gabtoli and Tejgaon Industrial Area cattle markets revealed several young men recording videos of the cattle on their mobile phones. They were seen talking to the traders and capturing footage of the cattle. Some even stood at the gates, questioning buyers about the prices they paid.
When asked, a young man named Miraj said: "These types of videos get more views. So, I'm making some funny videos with the cattle."
Why they do this
At the Gabtoli market gate, multiple YouTubers and TikTokers were seen. They were stopping buyers and inquiring about the prices and details of the cattle as they left the market.
When asked why they do this, a YouTuber named Abdul Alim said: "We have several YouTube and Facebook channels. We create content based on various topics, and now we are making videos about the cattle markets."
Regarding unwanted content or misinformation, he said: "We don't make fake videos. Our viewers want to see these types of videos. They want to know the prices and types of cattle available in the markets, and whether they fit within their budgets. That's why we create these videos."
Another YouTuber named Raju said: "Some people make fake videos for more views, spreading false information about the market. But we don't do that. We present the truth."
Cattle supplies normal but prices are exorbitantAlal Mia, a cattle trader from Singair, Manikganj, brought a red cow weighing approximately 22 maunds to the Gabtoli market. He named his cow Lalsai.
He said: "I'm asking for Tk15 lakh for my Lalsai. Many buyers came and told me they saw on YouTube that the price is Tk10 lakh. I never quoted such a price. The cost of cattle feed is very high these days, and raising cattle involves a lot of expenses."
When asked if YouTubers and TikTokers are causing any problems for market transactions, Gabtoli market managing member Mizanur Rahman said: "It's not a big issue. Almost everyone has a smartphone now. Many people are making different types of videos. Journalists come, and people from various YouTube and Facebook channels come and make videos. We don't stop anyone. It's their business."
A similar scene was observed at the Dhaka Polytechnic Institute field market in the Tejgaon Industrial Area. Many young men were recording videos of the Qurbani cattle on their mobile phones.
Going digital with Eid cattle marketsFahad, a content creator from a YouTube channel named Dream Cow, said, "Videos about Qurbani cattle get a lot of views. Our channel's videos are doing quite well. I visit different markets to make these videos."
When asked about the matter, Md. Saifur Rahman, a member of the Dhaka Polytechnic Institute market management team, said: "Our volunteers have been instructed to remove anyone causing trouble for traders and buyers from the market. We keep the entry and exit paths clear so that buyers and sellers do not face any inconvenience."
