Big cattle with fancy names have come to the sacrificial animal markets in Patuakhali, but hardly any are selling. Over the past few days small and medium cattle have sold well at markets across the district, while sales of big cattle have been nominal. Farmers and traders who brought big cattle are largely disappointed.

A total of 81 animal markets, large and small, have been set up in Patuakhali district this year. On Saturday (9 July) a number of big cattle were seen at the Hetalia Bandhghat market in the town, where farmers and traders had brought cattle priced at Tk 2 lakh to Tk 4 lakh. But many animals had not drawn a single offer.

Sellers said cattle priced at Tk 1.5 lakh to Tk 2 lakh were selling at the market; nobody was buying anything dearer.

Kamal Hossain, president of the Patuakhali District Dairy Farmers Association, said: "I brought two cattle to the market. I asked Tk 3.5 lakh for one and Tk 2 lakh for the other. Many buyers looked at these two Friesian cattle with interest, but hardly anyone really made an offer. My plan was to sell even if I got back what it cost to raise them, but so far that hasn't happened."

Advising farmers, he said that since there are few buyers for big cattle at district-town level, farmers could profit by raising several small or medium-sized cattle instead of one big animal.

Abu Taher Imran, a resident of College Road in Patuakhali town, said cattle prices were very high. "A cow that could be bought for Tk 45,000 to 50,000 last year now costs Tk 65,000. If you want a somewhat better cow you have to pay more than a lakh," he said.

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