117,000 animals ready for sacrifice in Jessore

K.M. Rafique, Jessore / ৮৪ Time View

Update : বুধবার, ২০ মে, ২০২৬

৪০

Farmers in Jessore district have prepared more cows than required for Eid al-Adha this year.
According to the information of the Jessore District Livestock Department, 13,500 small and big farmers and cultivators in the district have prepared a total of 117,997 animals for the sacrificial market. However, the demand for sacrificial animals in the district this time is 113,128. That is, there are 14,869 animals more than the demand. Last Eid, Jessore had 19,000 animals more than the demand.
Among the animals prepared for sacrifice in eight upazilas of Jessore, there are 28,844 bulls, 957 oxen, 6,458 cows, 81,276 goats and 442 sheep.
This time too, the prices of cattle and goats in the market are slightly lower due to the production of more animals than the demand. Although buyers are happy about this, farmers and cultivators are worried.
Abdur Rouf of Shahabati village in Ramnagar union of Jessore Sadar upazila has now raised 36 improved breed bulls. Each of these bulls weighs 500 to 700 kg. These cows have been fattened naturally by feeding them green grass, corn and wheat bran on his farm.
Abdur Rouf said, “Last year, there were few buyers at the market in the last days before Eid al-Adha. Cows had to be sold at a price of 400 to 450 taka per kg. That resulted in losses. I don’t know if I will get a good price this time either. That’s why I am worried.”
Saiful Islam, a farmer from Kismat Nawapara village in Sadar upazila, has prepared 20 cows for the sacrificial market this time. He said that many cows were not sold till the end of last year. Some were forced to sell their cows at low prices. Small farmers did not get fair prices.
He said, “In the last few years, the prices of hay, husk, corn and medicines as animal feed have increased significantly. Transportation costs have also increased. Prices are not available according to the rate at which production costs have increased. In this situation, it has become difficult for small farmers to survive.”
Jessore District Livestock Officer Dr. Md. Siddiqur Rahman said, ‘Farmers have been trained at various times. They have been told not to rely on grain feed as animal feed. They have been advised to feed raw grass along with grain feed. Feeding only grain feed is increasing the cost of raising animals. However, it is also true that the country does not have such vast pastures. As a result, even if grass is fed, it has to be produced and fed only then.’
He said, all farmers raise animals with the Eid al-Adha in mind. As a result, many animals are brought to the market at the same time and the prices come down. There are many other festivals in the year. Farmers have also been advised to raise livestock with those days in mind.
Dr. Md. Siddiqur Rahman said, this time there will be strict surveillance by the Livestock Department at the sacrificial markets of the district. Veterinary teams will work at each market. Supervision will be done to ensure that no sick animals, cows with calves or animals fattened in an unhealthy way are sold.
Jessore District Police Superintendent Syed Rafiqul Islam said that the police administration is taking special measures to ensure security at the sacrificial markets. Strict security measures will be taken so that buyers and sellers can buy and sell without any hindrance.