Photo : BSS

SHERPUR, May 28, 2025 (BSS) - A total of 1,10,00 sacrificial animals are available in the district for the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha this year. 

This year, the demand for cattle in the district has been set at 85,477 and 1,10,000  cattle have been prepared. The additional 24,523 animals will be sent to the other districts of the country. 

A visit to various farms in the district headquarters shows that the livestock farmers of Sherpur are getting busier as Eid-ul-Azha approaches. Farmers of the district are busy feeding and caring for their cows as they have prepared the sacrificial animals in a completely natural way.

This year, farmers have raised various improved breeds of cows including Brahma, Shahiwal, Holstein, Desi and Friesian. 

However, farmers are worried about getting fair price due to the increase of cow feed prices and Indian cows.

The District Animal Resources Department said that there are about 13,762 farmers in the five upazilas of the district. 

Many families have also raised cows, buffaloes and goats on their own initiative. 

Like every year, this year too, there is a high demand for local cows among buyers. 

Mosharraf Mia, 55, a farmer from Lachmanpur in Sherpur Sadar, said, "Every year we prepare different breeds of cows for sacrifice." However, we are in a bit of trouble due to the sudden increase in the price of cow feed. They demanded that the concerned authorities should  increase their surveillance to prevent Indian cows from entering through the Sherpur border. 

Zaman Mia, 45, a farmer from Pakuria union in Sadar upazila, said that the cost of raising cows has increased due to the increase in the price of cow feed. Many cattle traders come to see the cows every day. They are bargaining. If we do not get a fair price for the cows in the end, many small and large farmers like me will suffer.

Cattle trader Julhas Uddin, 50, at Kamar Char in Sadar upazila said they are directly visiting the farms and buying healthy and strong cows. Besides, the price of cows is higher this year compared to other years. 

Sherpur Additional Superintendent of Police Md. Mizanur Rahman Bhuiyan said that intelligence surveillance has been increased in the border area so that Indian cows cannot enter illegally through any border in Sherpur. 

Along with this, the police in white uniforms will be on special vigil to prevent counterfeit money in the market. 

Additional District Animal Resources Officer Dr. Mohammad Fazlul Haque said veterinary surgeons are working to provide various advice and support to the farmers before Eid-ul-Azha. 

Besides, we are also keeping a watchful eye on whether any farmer fattens cows artificially.