Rajshahi farmers frustrated over import of Indian cows

RAJSHAHI, Aug 18: The Holy Eid-ul-Azha, the second largest religious festival of the Muslims is nearing. Centring this, the cattle markets here are getting momentum.
There are more cattle-heads than the demand at local farms, but due to flood there is not much buyers at the local cattle markets. Now, the farmers are frustrated over the news of cattle import from India.
There are 39 big and small cattle markets including Cityhat, Mohishalbari, Nawhata, Kakon, Mochmoil, Kesharhat, Bhabaniganj and Baneswarhat in Rajshahi city.
Concerned people of the cattle markets said, centring Eid, the cattle are being brought to the markets but still there is not much presence of Indian cattle. The cattle of local farmers and farms are prevalent at the markets. But, there is not much buyers at the markets till now.
While visiting the Cityhat Cattle Market in the city recently, it was found that huge cattle-heads have been imported to the market. Traders of Dhaka and other districts buy cows from the market. But due to flood and other reasons, there are hardly any buyers. As a result, the farmers are going back along with their cattle from the markets.
Atikur Rahman Kalu of Cityhat said, "There is much import of cattle at the market. The price is also like that of the previous year. But, the buying and selling has not got momentum till now. Due to flood, the buyers outside Rajshahi are not coming. We hope that the sale of the cattle will increase in the upcoming days. From next haat day, the import of cattle will increase."
Meanwhile, the leasers of Nawhata Cattle Market have started publicity in the areas with an aim to attract buyers to the market. The goats are mostly imported at this market. Now, the goats are being sold at fewer prices than the normal time, said concerned sources.
Dr Talha Jamil, owner of a cattle farm 'Pure Harvest' at Miapur under Paba upazila, said, "There are total 80 cattle-heads at my farm now which can be sold at the market. The prices of the cattle range from Tk 50,000 to three lakh. Centring Eid, buyers are coming to my farm. There are much sacrificial cattle at local houses and farms. But, we are hearing that around 3,000 to 4,000 cattle-heads are being imported through different bordering points in Chapainawabganj district daily. If the cattle are imported in such extent before Eid, we will have to incur loss. In this connection, we seek government intervention to stop the influx of Indian cattle."
Additional District Livestock Officer Julfikar Md Akhter Hossen Bulbul said, "The demand of sacrificial cattle here is around 3.25 lakh in this Eid. Against the demand, there are around 3.54 lakh cattle at farm and farmer levels. Of those, there are 57,513 cows and 2,77,450 goats. Last year, the demand of sacrificial cattle in Rajshahi was 2.95 lakh while there were 3.25 lakh cattle against the demand."
He further said, "As the rearing of cattle at home or farm is profitable, people are getting interested to it. If the cattle are imported from India before Eid, the local farmers will incur loss. We have urged the higher authority to take steps in this connection. Besides, veterinary teams have been formed so that no cattle become sick at the markets."
On the other hand, the leasers of different cattle markets have started publicity using different media to attract the buyers. They hoped that the local cattle markets will gain momentum before Eid.