As Eid draws near, the sacrificial animal markets are getting busier. In Feni, the markets have a supply of large cattle this year, but buyers' eyes are on the small and medium ones.

A total of 128 permanent and temporary animal markets have been set up in the district's six upazilas and five municipalities. The administration has also taken various steps for the safety of buyers and sellers.

According to the district livestock department, demand in Feni this Eid-ul-Azha is 90,000 animals. Against this, farmers and small livestock keepers in the district have a supply of more than 1 lakh. Many people also raise animals themselves for sacrifice. On that basis, 1 lakh 2,000 animals are ready.

The 15 permanent and 113 temporary markets have come alive with buyers and sellers. Farms are full of cattle, and sales are going on to a greater or lesser extent.

The Baktarmunshi cattle market is one of Feni's largest. Traders bring cattle here from different parts of Feni, and eight to 10 days before Eid-ul-Azha the market is busy with the sale of cattle, goats and other animals.

Seller Momin said: "I brought a goat I raised at home. People are looking, but they are offering very low prices. For a 17-18 kg goat they are offering 12,000 or 14,000. But I'll sell if I get 15,000."

Local cattle dominate this market, but buyers crowd around small and medium cattle rather than large ones.

Buyer Ali Hossain said plenty of cattle and goats had arrived. Goat prices are comparatively the same as in other years, while cattle seem a little more expensive.

Cattle seller Morshed Alam said feed is much more expensive this year, so the cost of feeding and caring for cattle has doubled. "I brought six cattle to the market and sold one for Tk 1.5 lakh. As the prices for the others weren't to my liking, I'm taking them back unsold."

Feni District Livestock Officer Dr Anisur Rahman said prices will be somewhat high because of higher feed and maintenance costs, but not excessive. This year animals are also being sold online and directly at farms, competing with the markets.

Feni Superintendent of Police Zakir Hasan said most cattle are smuggled through Fulgazi, but the smuggling situation is under control. All law enforcement agencies, including police, BGB and RAB, are alert to make sure no cattle come from India around Eid-ul-Azha. There will be no cattle markets beside roads and highways, and this has been discussed with the lessees. Police will also be alert to prevent counterfeit money and harassment of cattle traders.

Feni Deputy Commissioner Abu Selim Mahmud-ul Hasan said strict security has been arranged around the markets. Talks have been held with banks to bring banking services to the markets for safety. Regular drives will be carried out to stop brokers' rings pushing prices up abnormally.

Meanwhile, the "live weight" method has become popular for buying and selling sacrificial animals in Feni, and sales have already started at farms. Both buyers and sellers are happy with the method because it is hassle-free, and the livestock department is also encouraging it.

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