Cattle farmers in Dhaka are making last-minute preparations to sell livestock ahead of Eid-ul-Azha, with many bringing cows from their own farms to market in the capital.
A visit to several cattle farms in Dhaka found that farmers are getting ready for the upcoming Qurbani season.
On the road from Rampura Bridge to Demra Staff Quarter, just past Meradia Bazar and west of Trimohini, Adil Dairy Farm is located on Hazi Akhtar Road. Adil Hossain, owner of the farm, said he has already brought 10-12 cattle to the farm for the season.
He said cattle are brought from Kushtia, kept for a few days and then sold from the farm. The first shipment has already arrived, and 2-3 more consignments are expected in the coming days. In total, he plans to bring 150-200 cattle.
Adil Hossain said medium-sized cattle at the farm will be priced between Tk1.2 lakh and Tk1.5 lakh. He added that prices for this category will be higher this year than in previous years.
Near Trimohini Bridge in Demra Staff Quarter, Samarai Cattle Farm Limited has developed a commercial cattle-rearing operation. The farm is also raising cattle for Eid-ul-Azha, while its sales center has been set up at the company’s own premises in Hatirjheel.
Niloy Hossain, owner of the farm and senior vice-president of the Bangladesh Dairy Farmers Association (BDFA), said the farm currently has more than 200 cattle, ranging from 200kg to 1,100kg. He added that sheep and camels will arrive in a few days.
Niloy Hossain said there will not be much demand for large cattle this time, and supply in that segment will also be limited.
He also said the market will face a shortage of cattle this year, which will drive prices higher.
He cited the high cost of cattle feed, higher transport costs to bring cattle to Dhaka and increased wages for cattle handlers as the main reasons behind the price rise. He said a medium-sized cow that used to sell for a little over Tk1 lakh will now cost around Tk1.5 lakh once all expenses are included.
“We farmers do not want to charge more, but when everything goes beyond control, we also have to survive,” he said.
He said prices at his farm will start from around Tk2 lakh. Large cattle have not yet been brought in, but he said they are expected within a day or two.
Meanwhile, seasonal cattle traders are active in Aftabnagar, Meradia and nearby areas, bringing three to five cattle at a time for sale. The Aftabnagar cattle market, stretching from Lohar Bridge to the China Project area, is also preparing to reopen this season after remaining closed in previous years.
