Photo : BSS

MEHERPUR, May 21, 2025 (BSS) - A total of 1,71,853 sacrificial animals are 
available in the district for the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha. 

This year, the demand for cattle in the district has been set at 90,000. The 
additional 81,853 animals will be sent to the other parts of the country 
after fulfilling the demand of the district. 

According to farmers, most of the sacrificial animals raised in Meherpur are 
sold in the markets of Dhaka and Chattogram districts. In addition, traders 
from different districts including Sylhet and Bogura come here to buy the 
cattle.

According to the District Livestock Department, 400 small and big farms have 
prepared their cattle for the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha in two upazilas of the 
district.

Due to the increase in production costs in raising cows on farms throughout 
the year, animal rearing has decreased in the district. As a result, the 
price of animals has increased slightly this year.

Cows of various indigenous including Nepalese, Australian, Fijian and Haryana 
have been fattened in the district. 

A couple of cows are also being raised in the homes of poor farmers. Raising 
cows has become the main job for many families. 

Akher Ali, a farmer of Harirampur village in Sadar upazila, said: "Cows are 
being raised from village to town. Each house in the village is like a farm." 

Cow rearing plays a major role in the socio-economic development of the 
district.

"There are 18 cows in his farm. Last year, there were 35 cows. Due to high 
food prices, the number of cows in the farm has decreased this year. Every 
year, traders from Chattogram buy those without any hassles," Akher Ali 
added. 

Zillur Rahman, owner of a farm in Buripota village in Sadar upazila, said 
this time, he has prepared 45 cows and 100 goats in the hope of making a good 
profit.

Currently, animals are being sold online. He said this time he has also 
invested a lot of money to raise cows. He said animals have been sold online 
for the last two years and the process is very familiar to the sellers and 
buyers day by day.

Milon Rahman, a marginal farm owner in Jhaubaria village, said he has 
fattened 30 cows by spending huge money and expecting a good profit.

However, several farm owners in the district are expressing concern about 
selling animals this time due to the high price. 

Abdur Razzak, a cattle trader in Govipur village of Sadar upazila, said that 
the price of cattle and goats is slightly higher this year compared to last 
year.

District Livestock Officer Subrata Kumar Banerjee said that there are 53,297 
cows, 591 buffaloes, 115,271 goats and 2,694 sheep in this district.