Chuadanga's cattle markets have come alive ahead of Eid-ul-Azha. Demand for large cows is low this year, while medium-sized cows are more popular. With cattle prices high, middle-class buyers are turning to the district's traditional Black Bengal goats.

Five main cattle markets are held on fixed days each week in the district's four upazilas: Alamdanga (Wednesday), Dugdugi (Monday), Shialmari (Thursday), Gokulkhali (Friday) and 9 Mile Bhultia (Saturday). The largest is Alamdanga, which also has the most trade. These markets were packed with buyers and sellers.

Buyers complain that cattle prices are much higher than last year, so instead of large cows many are buying medium cows or goats.

At Alamdanga market on Wednesday, 4 June, farmers had brought cows, goats, buffaloes and sheep for sale, and buyers were coming from other districts too. But there were few buyers for large cows, while demand for medium cows and goats was higher. A cow that will give three maunds of meat is selling for Tk 90,000 to 95,000.

Rahim Ali, who came to buy a cow for qurbani, told Jago News: "Buying a cow in this heat and crowd is quite hard. But one way or another, I will buy a medium cow today."

Another buyer, Asadul Islam, said: "Qurbani is a matter of intention. We give it hoping to come closer to Allah. But I am a middle-class man and cannot afford a cow. So I have bought our district's famous Black Bengal goat."

The same picture was seen at Shialmari market. There were crowds of buyers, but cattle were not selling fast. Many were looking for the animal they liked, while others were busy bargaining.

Farmer Abdul Sattar said sales were low. "I have brought three cows. At one time these cows were valued at Tk 7 lakh. Now just one person has offered Tk 5.5 lakh. It has cost a lot to raise them, and feed prices have gone up a lot. If I sell at this price, I will make a loss."

Another seller, Abdul Mannan, told Jago News: "I sold a four-maund local cow for Tk 1 lakh. The price was a bit low, but I had to sell."

Mofazzal Hossain, who came to buy a goat, said: "I plan to buy a goat for Tk 20,000 to 25,000. There are plenty of goats at the market. I will buy one I like."

District livestock officer Dr Md Sahabuddin Ahmed said the district's four upazilas have 51,000 cattle, 1 lakh 44 thousand goats and 3,900 sheep fit for qurbani, against a demand of 1 lakh 24 thousand animals. The surplus can be sent to Dhaka and other districts.

Chuadanga's Black Bengal goat is a breed in demand at home and abroad all year round, not only at qurbani time. Recognised as a GI product, the goat has also become a mainstay for the middle class at this year's qurbani market.

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