Indian cattle have still not been able to cross the border, so local cattle fill the markets of Sharsha upazila in Jashore. These border markets are packed with local cattle and goats, but sellers and market lease-holders are frustrated by the small number of buyers.

Farmers say no Indian cattle have come to the markets yet, so they are full of local cattle. Prices are somewhat higher because feed costs have risen, but there are no buyers. The upazila livestock office says that with health checks under supervision, nutritious animals are available this time.

It was learnt that most of the border from Benapole to Rudrapur in Sharsha, except the stretch along the Ichamati river, is fenced with barbed wire, and there is joint BGB-BSF surveillance by CCTV. The Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has held views-exchange meetings on the border urging people not to bring in Indian cattle. As a result, bringing cattle across this border is now difficult.

A large number of animals have gathered at the upazila's Satmail market. The lease-holder's own people are working constantly for the safety of buyers and sellers. Local, Shahiwal, Friesian and other breeds of cattle are being sold alongside goats. The market usually sits twice a week, on Saturday and Tuesday, but the lease-holder said it will run until the day before Eid this time. Traders from Dhaka, Rangpur, Chattogram, Barishal and other districts buy cattle at Satmail.

Nasir Uddin, a farmer from Putkhali village in the upazila, said feed is expensive, but at the prices buyers are offering, he is facing a loss of Tk 20,000 to Tk 25,000 on each cow.

Another farmer, frustrated at not selling his animals, said there are thousands of sacrificial animals in the market and thousands of buyers too, yet few animals are being sold.

Several buyers said cattle prices are higher this year than before. Sellers say rearing costs have risen with feed prices, and at the prices being offered they see losses.

Cattle trader Abdul Aziz, however, said more animals have come to this market from different areas this time, the market is full of cattle, and sales are much higher than at the last few markets. Medium-sized cattle are in greatest demand, he said.

Satmail market lease-holder Abu Taleb told Jagonews that overall security arrangements have been made, and announcements are being made by loudspeaker so that buyers and sellers are not cheated. There are two more market days before Eid, and if sales do not rise, they will suffer big losses.

Sharsha upazila livestock officer Dr Binoy Krishna Mondal told Jagonews that 15,300 animals, including cattle, goats, sheep and buffaloes, have been prepared for the sacrifice on 1,322 farms in the upazila this year. Demand in the upazila is 9,120 animals, and the surplus can be supplied to other districts.

He said a medical team is working at the Satmail market during trading to identify any diseased animals. The market also has a cashless system, so buyers can pay for animals by mobile banking.

Elias Kabir Bakul, general secretary of the Satmail market and former chairman of Bagachra union parishad, told Jagonews that large numbers of animals have arrived at the traditional Bagachra Satmail market, but sales are low. There is no chance of Indian cattle coming in this time, and if sales rise, local farmers will see good profits. He said the market is suitable for buyers and sellers and is being monitored round the clock.

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