Cattle farmers in Sirajganj are busy fattening cattle ahead of Eid-ul-Azha, with 617,723 sacrificial animals prepared against local demand for around 293,000 animals.
Farmers and traders said preparations had intensified across the district as the annual cattle trading season approached, with many hoping for better earnings.
According to the district livestock office, farms in all nine upazilas have been rearing and fattening cows, buffaloes, goats and sheep for several months.
Fattening activities are particularly visible in Shahjadpur, Ullapara, Enayetpur and Belkuchi upazilas. Farmers in Kamarkhanda, Raiganj, Chauhali, Kazipur and Sirajganj Sadar are also raising sacrificial animals.
Apart from commercial farms, many rural households have been rearing cattle on a small scale as an additional source of income.
Trading of sacrificial animals has already begun at some local cattle markets, although traders expect the main rush to start closer to Eid-ul-Azha.
District livestock officials said they were running campaigns to discourage the use of harmful chemicals and steroids in cattle fattening.
“We are regularly visiting farms and encouraging farmers to follow natural fattening methods,” said Dr Anarul Haque, an official of the district livestock department.
He said farmers were also receiving medicines, technical assistance and training to ensure healthy livestock production.
Farmers, however, expressed concern over rising cattle feed prices, saying higher feed costs were increasing overall production expenses.
“As feed prices continue to rise, the cost of raising cattle is also going up. That may push up cattle prices this Eid season,” said Abdur Rahim, a cattle farmer from Shahjadpur upazila.
According to the livestock office, 617,723 sacrificial animals have been prepared in Sirajganj this year against local demand for around 293,000 animals.
Officials said surplus livestock would be supplied to Dhaka and other parts of the country ahead of Eid-ul-Azha, creating income opportunities for both commercial farmers and marginal rural households.
There are 27 permanent and 20 temporary cattle markets in Sirajganj where sacrificial animals will be traded, officials said.
Veterinary teams will remain active at the markets to inspect animals and provide medical support to ensure safe trading and animal health.
Authorities are also taking online promotional initiatives to help farmers market their cattle and connect with buyers ahead of Eid-ul-Azha.
