The Ramnagar cattle market in Magura Sadar upazila has begun to get busy ahead of Eid-ul-Azha. Local farmers say that with no artificially fattened or Indian cattle this time, the supply of small local cattle is high. But demand at the market is greater for medium and small cattle than for big ones.

From the morning of 23 May, farmers were seen bringing animals to the market from small and large farms across the district.

But there was no rush of buying yet; animals clearly outnumbered buyers. Many people had come to look at animals and haggle over prices.

According to the Magura district livestock office, the district needs 65,508 sacrificial animals and has produced 76,973. There are 7,663 farmers in the district, and a surplus of 14,000 sacrificial animals will be supplied outside after meeting the district's demand.

Seller Mohan Biswas said: "At Ramnagar there are more cattle than buyers. We are still at a loss; cattle sales have not started. We hope sales will be good at the last moment."

Farmer Rahman Mia said: "I brought five carefully raised animals and have sold one for Tk 1.5 lakh. Buyers want medium cattle more than big ones."

Buyer Md Sohan Khan said he was going round the market looking at animals and haggling, and would buy if he liked one. Demand for medium cattle was higher than for large ones, he said.

Market lessee Md Dulal Hossain said the Magura Ramnagar market had made it onto the list of famous markets. "We are trying to keep the situation at the market under control and are alert to prevent any untoward incident," he said.

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