A jet-black Friesian bull weighing 30 maunds has caught everyone's eye in Shayestaganj, Habiganj. It has been named 'Kalo Manik' for its black colour, and it will be sold if the price reaches Tk 16 lakh.

The four-year-old bull is being raised at the dairy farm of Abdur Rahman Kala Mia in Nasratpur village, Nurpur union. The farm owner claims it has been fattened entirely by local methods.

Kalo Manik eats about 50 kg of feed a day in two meals: wheat bran, pulse bran, rice bran, feed, maize, straw and fresh grass. On average its feed costs about Tk 1,500 a day.

Tajuddin Ahmed Jashim and Abu Sufian Parvez, who came to see the bull, told Jagonews24: "We were curious when we heard how big it is, so we came to see it. We have never seen such a big animal. We took photos and posted them on Facebook."

The farm's owner, Abdur Rahman Kala Mia, died in a road accident about two months ago. His daughter-in-law Parul Akter has since taken charge of the farm.

Parul Akter, managing director of Abdur Rahman Kala Mia Dairy Farm, told Jagonews24: "My father-in-law raised Kalo Manik with great care. He weighs 30 maunds. We have 45 cattle on the farm including Kalo Manik, and he is the biggest. I think Kalo Manik will be the biggest animal in Habiganj district."

"Kalo Manik has to be bathed 3-4 times a day, and his feed costs Tk 1,500. We bring his feed from Rajshahi. Two workers are always needed to look after him. If we get Tk 16 lakh, we will sell him this Eid," she added.

Shayestaganj Upazila Livestock Officer (ULO) Nazim Uddin said the bull had been raised by local methods under the overall supervision of the livestock office, and he hoped the farmer would be able to sell it at the desired price.

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