As the qurbani Eid draws near, Naogaon's farmers are getting busier and the cattle haats are bustling. With more animals than buyers, prices are comparatively low, and farmers fear losses.

According to the district administration, sacrificial animals are being sold at about 36 permanent and temporary haats in the district: 27 permanent and nine temporary. Kola haat in Badalgachhi upazila is one of the district's large cattle haats.

On Friday, 23 June, the haat was held on the Kola High School field. Lessees said medium bulls were selling for Tk 90,000 to Tk 1 lakh 30 thousand, large bulls for Tk 1 lakh 50 thousand to Tk 1 lakh 80 thousand, and heifers for Tk 50,000 to Tk 90,000. Goats sold for Tk 10,000 to Tk 24,000.

Abdul Jalil, a farmer from Paramanandapur village in the upazila, said: "Three years ago I bought a cow for Tk 75,000 and raised it on natural feed. I brought it to the haat hoping for a good price. I have priced it at Tk 1 lakh 80 thousand, but buyers are offering Tk 1 lakh 55 thousand. After spending so much over three years, what profit have I made? I am disappointed that prices have fallen."

Sujaur Rahman, a farmer from Awargari village in Akkelpur upazila of Joypurhat, said he raised one bull at home this year and brought it to the haat to sell. He is asking Tk 1 lakh 35 thousand, but buyers are offering Tk 1 lakh 10 thousand.

Mithun Hossain of Paharpur village in Sadar upazila said he bought his cow for Tk 1 lakh 26 thousand, though it should have cost about Tk 1.5 lakh. "I bought it because it was cheap. Large cattle are available for Tk 25,000 to Tk 30,000 less."

Harun Rashid Dulal, who came to buy cattle from Chhatiangram in Adamdighi upazila, said prices at this haat are low every year at qurbani time, which is why he came. "More animals have arrived than there are buyers. Because so many animals have come, prices are comparatively low, and buyers can buy what they like."

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