KHULNA, May 15: A total of 170 traditional and makeshift cattle markets are being established across all ten districts of Khulna Division to facilitate the sale of sacrificial animals ahead of Eid-ul-Azha.
With two weeks remaining until the second-largest religious festival of Muslims, cattle traders have already started bringing animals from their farms to these markets.
The Department of Livestock, in collaboration with district administrations, is setting up the markets, which will remain operational until the morning of Eid.
Out of the 170 traditional and makeshift cattle markets, at least 27 including the KCC's Zoragate cattle market are being set up in Khulna.
Additionally, 29 markets are being set up in Bagerhat, 16 in Satkhira, 20 in Jashore, 22 in Jhenaidah, 15 in Magura, 10 in Narail, 17 in Kushtia, 8 in Chuadanga and 6 in Meherpur.
Dr. Md Golam Haider, Director of the Khulna Divisional Livestock Department said that cattle markets have been set up in all 59 upazilas in 10 districts as well as within the KCC.
Additionally, 142 veterinary medical teams will be deployed to ensure the health and safety of the animals.
"The demand for sacrificial animals this year in Khulna Division is expected to be met almost entirely through locally-reared livestock," Dr. Haider stated.
To ensure smooth operations at the Zoragate cattle market, the KCC will install CCTV surveillance, deploy medical teams and provide fake currency detection services under the supervision of Bangladesh Bank, said KCC Chief Executive Officer Razib Ahmed.
Nazrul Islam, a cattle farmer from Baliakhali Village in Dumuria Upazila, mentioned that the price of cattle feed has increased significantly, which may lead to higher cattle prices this year compared to last.
Mintu Khan, a dairy farm owner of Tipna Village in Dumuria Upazila said that "I have reared 18 cows and 26 goats this year and expected to profit 5 to 6 lakh. This year, cattle price may be slightly higher as cattle feed has increased significantly."
According to the Livestock Department, the demand for sacrificial animals in Khulna Division this year stands at approximately 10.80 lakh.
However, farmers have reared over 14.47 lakh animals in anticipation of Eid, exceeding the demand by 38.78 per cent.
The breakdown of animals reared includes 5, 39,961 cows, 4,089 buffaloes, 851370 goats, 51,173 sheep and 216 other animals in the division.
Last year, a total of 169 traditional and makeshift cattle markets were established and152 veterinary medical teams were deployed across the division. A total of 14.34 lakh sacrificial animals were reared against 10.46 lakh demands.
Over 11 lakh sacrificial animals were sold before the Eid-ul-azha last year, according to Livestock data.
