Khulna: There will be no shortage of sacrificial animals in Khulna division ahead of the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha as local farmers have produced over 14.47 lakh animals against a demand of around 10.79 lakh. Officials of the Department of Livestock Services (DLS) said the division is expected to have a surplus of over 367,000 sacrificial animals this year, raising hopes that prices will remain within buyers’ purchasing capacity.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Director of Khulna DLS Dr Mohammad Golam Haider stated that the estimated demand for sacrificial animals in the division this year stands at 1,079,449, while around 1,446,809 animals have been prepared locally for Eid-ul-Azha. Dr Haider emphasized that local production will be sufficient to meet the entire demand this year, negating the need for any imports from neighboring countries.
DLS data indicates that the animals prepared for sacrifice include 130,427 bulls, 32,027 oxen, 82,302 cows, 4,089 buffaloes, 851,370 goats, 51,173 sheep, and 216 animals of other categories. Dr Haider mentioned that a large number of these animals would be brought to temporary cattle markets across the division and Khulna city ahead of Eid, ensuring a smooth supply.
However, farm owners have expressed concerns about rising prices of animal feed, which may slightly increase cattle prices this season. Shahabuddin Ahmed, a farm owner from Samantasena village in Rupsha upazila, noted that feed prices have increased significantly compared to previous years. Meanwhile, farmer Md Didarul Alam of Dumuria upazila shared that he has been rearing seven indigenous cows for nearly a year using natural feed, including grass, maize, and wheat bran.
In a related development, Khulna City Corporation (KCC) is likely to operate the city’s traditional Joragate cattle market on its own, as no contractor responded to three rounds of tender invitations. Sheikh Shafiqul Hasan Didar, a KCC Market Branch official, mentioned that the corporation fixed the tender value at Tk 2.3 crore and invited tenders four times, with the latest opening scheduled for Monday. If no bidder participates, KCC will manage the cattle market itself according to rules.
Last year, KCC earned around Tk 2.30 crore in revenue by operating the market directly after receiving no response to tenders. A 32-member committee has already been formed to oversee market management, healthcare, law and order, anti-counterfeit currency measures, and other facilities for traders and buyers during the Eid cattle market period.