DUMURIA, KHULNA, May 10: With Eid-ul-Azha approaching, cattle farmers across Dumuria Upazila are busy preparing sacrificial animals for the upcoming markets, hoping to secure better prices this season.
Among them, an unmarried woman farmer, Minu Saha of Raghunathpur Village, has drawn widespread attention after successfully raising a massive bull named "Raja Manik".
The five-year-old bull weighs around 1,600 kilograms (kg), or nearly 40 maunds, and has become a major attraction in the area.
According to locals, the animal is so large that parts of the cowshed may need to be dismantled to take it outside.
On Wednesday, Dumuria Upazila Livestock Officer Dr Md Ashraful Kabir, Veterinary Surgeon Dr Abu Sayeed Sumon, and several local residents, including journalists, visited Minu Saha's farm to inspect the giant bull.
Minu Saha said she is seeking around Tk 14 lakh for Raja Manik, although she may sell it for Tk 12 lakh if offered a suitable deal. She added that she raised the animal naturally without using harmful steroids or hormones.
"I have trained the bull carefully, and it responds to my instructions," she said.
Farmers across Dumuria's 14 unions are now busy fattening cattle ahead of Eid. Different breeds, including local, Sindhi, Pakistani, and Australian varieties, are being raised at farms throughout the upazila.
According to the Upazila Livestock Office, around 9,598 farmers are engaged in family-based and commercial livestock farming in the area. Officials estimate that over 45,836 sacrificial animals will be available this season, which is expected to meet local demand.
Minu Saha said the rising cost of cattle feed has increased production expenses significantly. "Each cow requires around Tk 700 to Tk 800 worth of feed daily," she said.
Upazila Livestock Officer Dr Md Ashraful Kabir said the Livestock Department is providing all necessary support to farmers and regularly monitoring farms to prevent the illegal use of harmful chemicals in cattle fattening.
Dumuria Upazila Nirbahi Officer Sabita Sarkar praised Minu Saha's success, saying her achievement could inspire educated unemployed youths to engage in livestock farming using modern and scientific methods.
