RAJSHAHI, Aug 17: Despite having adequate animals in the country, Indian cattle are being brought through different border points in the district.
These cattle are being sold in local markets ahead of Eid-ul-Azha. Market authorities say buffaloes are coming more than Indian cows. As a result, farmers may incur loss if they can't sell their locally-reared cattle. Dr. Humayun Kabir, assistant director of District Livestock Department, said about 17 lakh cattle have been reared at different farms of eight districts in Rajshahi Division.
Of those, 4,35,847 are bulls, 88,851 are bullocks, 1,31,044 are cows, 13,079 are buffaloes, 8,98,067 are goats and 1,28,203 are sheep.
The traders will take these cattle to different parts of the country after meeting local demand.
For the last few days, Indian cattle are being brought through different border points. Local people said, sometimes sick animals are being sold in the markets.
Veterinarians Selina and Zahid said Indian cattle need to be tested before sale. On condition of anonymity, some cattle traders said they are bringing Indian cattle giving tax. If there are more cattle, the prices will be in tolerable limit. Majibur Rahman, a cow farmer of Jugipara Village in Paba Upazila, said, "I reared 15 cows last year. The prices of cow fell due to arrival of cattle from India. For this, I had to bear losses of lakhs taka. So, I did not rear cows this year."
Jalal Uddin Sardar, professor of the Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science at Rajshahi University, said, everyday Indian cattle are coming to the markets and there may be sick ones, too. There is no need to import cows from India because there are enough animals in the country. Many unemployed youths have benefited financially through rearing cattle locally.
Dablu, leaseholder of City Haat, the largest cattle market in Rajshahi, said the haat is sitting every day ahead of Eid-ul-Azha. Over the past few days, the sales have increased. About 30,000 to 40,000 animals are coming to the local markets daily.
