Indian cow and buffalo are being transported along the Padma River through Rajshahi border.
Indian cows and buffalo are being sold in Rajshahi cattle markets ahead of Eid-ul-Azha. So, cattle farmers of Rajshahi fear loss in this Eid season.
Assistant Director Humayun Kabir of Department of Livestock of Rajshahi, said that around 18 lakh cattle, buffaloes, sheep and goats have been reared at the farms level in eight districts of Rajshahi division.
In this division, 4,35,847 bulls have been observed for Qurbani, 88,851 bullock-born cows and 1,31,044 cows have been brought up.
A total of 13,079 buffalo, 8,98,067 goats and 1,28,203 sheep are available for sacrifice.
On Thursday morning, Srirampur, Nabaganga, Kashiadanga, Haripur area of the city flooded with Indian Sindhu, Indian, Nepali variety cows, along with buffalo. Over the last few days, the cows were seen being brought through the river.
Some cattle traders said that they are bringing cattle paying VAT tax to the government. If there are more cattle, then the prices of cattle in the market will be tolerable.
Majibur Rahman, a cattle farmer of Jugipara village under Paba upazila said that he had 15 cows last year. He had to bear losses of several lakhs of taka as price fell due to arrival of cow from India.
Jalal Uddin Sardar, a Professor of the Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science at Rajshahi University, said, India gives us sick animals. Most of these animals are infected with cervical diseases. Veterinarians Selina and Zahid said that Indian cows need to be tested for health.
There is no need to import cows from India because there are enough cows in the country. Many unemployed youth of the country have benefited financially by livestock business.
Dabul, the leaseholder of the market, said that the haat is open every day ahead of Eid-ul-Azha.
On an average, 30-40 thousand animals are coming in the markets.
