With just two days left before Eid-ul-Azha, animal sales have picked up. As across the country, trading has begun at the cattle markets of Siddhirganj in Narayanganj. As in past years, the upazila's largest market has been set up on the sand field at No 2 Dhakeshwari in Ward 10 of Narayanganj City Corporation. This year its attraction is Abdul Alim's three big cows.

Trader Mohammad Abdul Alim (40) has brought the three big cows to the Dhakeshwari market from the Shahjadpur police station area of Sirajganj. The huge animals have been named 'Jubraj', 'Kala Pahar' and 'Dhala Pahar'. The asking price for the three is Tk 30 lakh.

"I started raising cattle in 1990, but I have been selling them at different markets since 2002. This time I have come here hoping to sell my three cows, weighing about 100 maunds, at a high price. Buyers have already offered up to Tk 8 lakh for Jubraj, Tk 5 lakh for Dhala Pahar and Tk 6.5 lakh for Kala Pahar," Abdul Alim said.

He said raising the three cows over four years had cost at least Tk 23-24 lakh in all. "I hope to sell them for at least Tk 30 lakh."

Sagar Prodhan, who oversees the Dhakeshwari market, told Jago News: "The main attraction of our market is Abdul Alim's three cows, including Jubraj. I hope he gets a good price. Sales at our market are going fairly well."

Narayanganj district livestock officer Abdul Mannan Mia did not answer several calls seeking comment.

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