Every year ahead of Eid-ul-Azha, farmers from different regions bring animals to the capital's sacrificial animal markets. Farmers in the south-west in particular choose Dhaka's markets in the hope of a good profit. This makes it easier for city dwellers to buy cattle and goats, and creates new work in transport.

This year that picture may change considerably. Farmers say they are already under pressure from an abnormal rise in cattle feed prices. Now, with transport costs rising because of the fuel crisis, many are unsure about bringing cattle to Dhaka. They fear that if the situation continues, the supply of cattle to the Eid markets could fall, which could affect prices.

Meherpur farmer Monirul Islam said there is little profit in rearing cattle now; counting all costs, the balance tips towards loss. For example, a cow bought for Tk 80,000 costs about another Tk 80,000 to rear. Even if it sells for Tk 2 lakh after 8 to 9 months, little profit remains once his own labour is counted. People still rear cattle because selling one brings a large sum at once, which many use for their children's weddings or big household expenses. It is rather like slowly saving money in a bank, he said.

This year things are even harder, he said: "Cattle feed prices are sky-high, and transport costs are already about Tk 5,000 higher than last year. They may rise further at Eid time. For these reasons I am now unsure whether I will be able to take cattle to Dhaka at all."

Al-Amin, who drives a truck on the Kushtia-Dhaka route, acknowledged the rise in costs. "Last year it cost about Tk 25,000 to take cattle from Kushtia to Dhaka; this year it has risen to more than Tk 30,000. We are now carrying vegetables at this fare too. If the fuel crisis continues, no truck will be available for less than Tk 35,000 to carry cattle just before Eid," he said.

Drivers say that even after setting out, trucks sometimes have to wait up to two days for fuel, and they ask who will bear the cost of that extra time.

Al-Amin said a small pickup to Dhaka now costs Tk 14,000 to 15,000, and a large truck more than double that. Fares could fall somewhat if fuel prices come down and supply returns to normal, but if the crisis continues they are likely to rise further.

Mojibor Rahman, a farmer in the Amla area of Kushtia, said the prices of bran and crushed wheat and maize have all risen sharply. Cattle also need regular vitamins to stay healthy: powders (A, D, E and B-complex), liquids and injections (AD3E and B-complex). Without them, cattle lose their appetite and minor ailments can turn into major diseases. These medicines are also dearer now. In the heat, the bulls must be kept under electric fans all the time, but with load-shedding, hand fans are often the only option.

"After all these costs there is little profit left," Mojibor said. "Still, farmers hope to get a large sum at once by selling cattle in Dhaka. But now that truck fares are starting to rise, there is uncertainty over whether we can go to Dhaka this year. If we cannot take cattle to Dhaka, losses will grow."

In the south-west, all kinds of cattle feed are rising in price. Wheat husk (chelti) sells for Tk 55 to 60 a kg, broken rice for Tk 55, crushed maize for Tk 45 and crushed wheat for Tk 45 to 50. A bundle of grass costs Tk 20, jackfruit leaves Tk 20, straw Tk 6 to 7 and rice bran Tk 20 a kg.

By farmers' reckoning, vitamins for one animal cost Tk 1,000 to 1,500 a month in the hot season. If disease strikes, treatment can reach Tk 3,000 to 5,000, with extra costs for antibiotics and zinc.

Retail feed sellers are also under pressure. Akul Hossain, a trader in the Asmankhali area of Chuadanga, said the fuel crisis has reduced the number of vehicles carrying feed, so all kinds of feed have become dearer. Traders buy at higher prices and sell to farmers with a small margin.

He said most farmers take feed on credit and pay their debts with the money from selling cattle after Eid, for which traders also hold halkhata (account settlement) events. If farmers cannot take cattle to Dhaka, repaying their dues will become complicated, because cattle sold in local markets are often sold on credit, making it hard for farmers to pay the shops. Feed traders could then face financial difficulties too.

Farmers who grow their own feed are somewhat better off. One of them, Ashraf Ali of Gangni, Meherpur, said growing Napier grass on his own land has cut costs a little, but other expenses cannot be reduced.

"To fatten cattle, you need workers to bathe them every day," Ashraf Ali said. "For two months before Eid they are bathed twice a day and washed with shampoo once a week, which improves their appetite. Now, with power cuts, extra workers are needed for bathing too. All in all, without a suitable environment and facilities, it will be hard to take cattle to Dhaka this year."

Subject to the sighting of the moon, Eid-ul-Azha will be celebrated in the country on 27 or 28 May. Dhaka's two city corporations plan to set up 24 temporary animal markets in the capital. Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) has already invited tenders to lease markets at 12 sites, while Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) is preparing to lease 12 markets.

The DSCC sites include the open space of Uttar Shahjahanpur Maitri Sangha Club; the riverside open space west of Postogola crematorium; the east side of Donia College and the open space around Chhontek women's madrasa; the south side of Sadek Hossain Khoka field in Dholaikhal and the truck terminal area; the Rahmatganj Club grounds; the area next to the Institute of Leather Technology in Hazaribagh; the canal bank east of Meradia Bazar; the east side of Sadek Hossain Khoka Community Centre in Kamalapur; the north side of Amulia Aligarh Model College; the Shyampur-Kadamtali truck stand area; the site next to Rahmatganj Club in Lalbagh; and the Kamrangirchar embankment.

The DNCC sites include the open space under the elevated expressway next to Khilkhet Bazar; the Eastern Housing area in Mirpur Section 6; the Kalshi Balur Math; the area next to Dhaka Polytechnic Institute; the Merul Badda kitchen market area; beside Iqra Madrasa in East Hajipara; beside the 40-feet road in the Bosila area of Mohammadpur; the area next to Sectors 16 and 18 in Uttara Diabari; the stretch from Ranavola Avenue to the sluice gate; the Rahmannagar residential area next to Kanchkura Bazar; Paschimpara next to the Mastul checkpoint in Khilkhet; and the Bhatara Sutitola canal bank.

Sacrificial animals will also be sold at the permanent markets of Gabtali (DNCC) and Sarulia (DSCC). The markets will run in the capital for five days in total, including Eid day.

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