Livestock department in Khulna division has set up a total of 163 traditional and makeshift cattle markets in all ten districts of the division to sell the sacrificial animals ahead of Eid-ul-Azha.
Meanwhile, Bapperys (Cattle Traders) started to bring sacrificial animals to the cattle markets from their own farms though eight days left to celebrate Eid-ul-Azha, the second-largest religious festival of the Muslims.
According to the Livestock department, all district Livestock departments in association with the district administrations have set up the cattle markets for eight days left of Eid-ul-Azha which will run till morning on Eid day.
Of the 163 traditional and makeshift cattle markets, at least 22 including KCCs Zoragate cattle market have been set up in Khulna while 27 in Bagerhat, 15 in Satkhira, 21 in Jashore, 25 in Jhenaidah, 19 in Magura, 9 in Narail, 13 in Kushtia and 6 each in Chuadanga and Meherpur.
Talking acting director of Khulna Divisional Livestock Department Dr. Md. Lutfor Rahman said, the cattle markets have been set up at all 59 upazilas in 10 districts and Khulna City Corporation (KCC). A total of 159 medical teams have already been formed for the cattle markets.
“The demand for sacrificial animals in Khulna division this Eid-ul-Azha could be met almost entirely with locally-reared livestock,” he said.
Besides, Khulna City Corporation (KCC) will manage and monitor the Zoragate cattle market by installing CCTV cameras, setting up the medical team and fake note identifier under the supervision and management of Bangladesh Bank, said Laskar Tazul Islam, Chief Executive Officer of KCC.
Mizanur Rahman, a cattle farm owner in Shirgati village under Rupsha upazila said, the price of cattle feed has been increased several times. As a result, cattle prices will be higher than last year.
According to the Livestock Office, the demand for sacrificial animals in Khulna division this year stands at 8,28,998, but this year, farmers of the division reared 11,82,998 sacrificial animals targeting Eid-ul-Azha, 37.88 percent more than the demand.
This year cow has been reared 4,51,137 while buffalo 5,056, goat 6,97,823, sheep 28,957 and other animals 25 in the division.
