BAGHA, RAJSHAHI, May 22: The riverine char areas of Bagha along the Padma are increasingly transforming into livestock-rearing hubs, where nearly every household is engaged in cattle and goat farming ahead of Eid-ul-Azha.
In Char Chakrajapur and surrounding islands, locally known chars, families are raising livestock in almost every homestead, effectively turning each house into a small-scale farm. Spread across around 15 chars covering 46 square kilometres, the region hosts a population of about 25,000 people and roughly 6,000 acres of land, including 1,200 acres of fallow land used for grazing.
Households reportedly keep anywhere between two and 20 cattle and goats each. Every morning, herders take their animals to open fallow land for grazing, a routine that continues throughout the year.
Farmers said they purchase livestock from different markets, including Rajshahi City Haat, Rustampur Haat, Kakon Haat and Tebaria Haat. Animals are typically raised for 9 to 12 months before being prepared for sale ahead of Eid-ul-Azha. The cost of raising a cow is estimated at Tk 45,000 to Tk 50,000, while goats cost around Tk 3,000 to Tk 5,000.
Many farmers also rely on microcredit loans from NGOs to purchase livestock. They rear different breeds, including Nepali, Australian Friesian and Haryanvi cattle, alongside local goats, as livestock rearing has become a primary source of income in the chars.
Local farmers said Eid season marks the most important time of the year for selling their animals, as it determines household income and the ability to reinvest in new livestock.
Kamal Hossain, a livestock farmer from Palashiphatpur char, said each household functions like a mini farm where men and women jointly care for the animals, treating them almost like family members.
"So-called char households are now livestock farms. These animals are our livelihood and inspiration," he said, adding that fair prices in Eid markets would ensure profit for farmers this year.
Sohail Rana, another farmer, said he invested Tk 2.5 lakh through NGO loans to buy cattle and goats and expects to repay his debt after selling the animals this Eid season.
Gulbar Ali said he has prepared five cattle and five goats this year, noting that rising feed and input costs have increased overall expenses.
Upazila Livestock Officer Dr Aminul Islam said livestock trading has already begun through mobile apps ahead of Eid. He added that farmers receive certification to help them access low-interest bank loans, which is expected to support further expansion of the sector.
