Nine cattle haats have been set up in Chattogram city ahead of Eid-ul-Azha. Medium to large cattle dominate these markets and sellers are asking high prices. But with only three days left before Eid, the haats have yet to get busy.

The district livestock department says local production of animals in Chattogram this year is somewhat lower than demand, but there will be no shortage, because while upazila markets trade locally raised cattle, city markets also receive cattle from other districts.

Every year farmers and traders bring animals to Chattogram's haats from Chapainawabganj, Rajshahi, Natore, Magura, Faridpur, Sirajganj, Patuakhali, Kushtia, Jhenaidah and Satkhira, and this year is no exception. Indian cattle are also coming into the Chattogram market. Cattle from the north are arriving at Sagarika market and Bibirhat, two of Chattogram's main markets, and at Moijjar Tek market in Karnaphuli outside the city.

Permanent cattle haats are held at Sagarika and Bibirhat, and there is also a permanent market at the Postarpar goat haat. In addition, Chattogram City Corporation (CCC) has set up nine temporary haats this year:

• the Nurnagar Housing field in Bakalia
• the field beside the Khejurtala embankment in Patenga
• the TSP field next to Hossain Ahmedpara in Patenga
• Muslimabad Road in Patenga
• Wazedia crossing in Panchlaish
• the CDA earth field on the Outer Ring Road
• the godown area at Boro Pol in Halishahar
• the field beside the Saltgola railway crossing
• the empty TK Group field south of Butterfly Park in South Patenga

A visit to Sagarika haat on the afternoon of Saturday, 24 June, found cattle arriving from various districts. Outside the main market, animals were being kept in sheds made with tarpaulin canopies on plots in the BSCIC industrial estate. Sellers pay to keep their cattle there, but those from distant districts are relieved not to have to worry about storms and rain.

The biggest cow at Sagarika market was seen at the Mamu-Bhagina field. Named Babu, it is being offered at Tk 12.5 lakh. Its owner, Abu Hasan from Magura, said one buyer has already offered Tk 7 lakh. The animal weighs 41 maunds, he said, and he has brought 13 other cattle besides Babu.

At the neighbouring Bhagina field, Rakibul Hasan brought 26 cattle in two trucks from Shailkupa in Jhenaidah two days ago. He said their biggest animal, Sundoribala, is being offered at Tk 6.5 lakh.

District Livestock Officer Dr Md Alamgir said there will be no shortage of animals in Chattogram this year. Demand this year is 8 lakh 74 thousand animals, of which 8 lakh 42 thousand have been produced in Chattogram; the rest are coming from the north of the country.

Dr Alamgir said the livestock department is providing health care to animals brought to the markets. It has formed 122 veterinary medical teams in Chattogram to serve the haats, six of them working in the city.

Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP) has taken steps to ensure overall security at the city's cattle markets, and public and private scheduled banks have set up booths at the haats to prevent transactions in counterfeit notes.

CMP Additional Commissioner (Crime and Operations) ASM Mahatab Uddin said the CMP will give every kind of help so that people can buy animals at the city's haats without worry. Police teams will be at the haats round the clock, and the markets are being monitored through CCTV.

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.