By S M Zahid Hossain

KHULNA, June 03, 2025 (BSS) - With only three days in hand, the online cattle markets in Khulna are gaining momentum ahead of Eid-ul-Azha, the second-largest festival of the Muslims.

The three online markets are 'Online Platform', 'Social Media Platform' and 'Government Online Cattle Platform' already sold at least 1,387 sacrificial animals worth Tk 9.09 crore in the city till Monday. 

Among them 714 cattle were sold worth Tk 7.96 crore, 3 buffaloes were sold Tk 3.6 lakh, 657 goats were sold Tk 1.07 crore, 13 sheep were sold Tk 2.58 lakh through digital markets.

Khulna Divisional Administration in co-operation with the Divisional Livestock Service (DoLS) has started the initiatives of 'Government Online Cattle Platform' through a mobile app along with its website (qurbanihatkhulna.com/) while both the Government and Cattle Firm Owners have launched 'Online Platform' and ' Social Media Platform' from May 28.

Talking to BSS today, Dr Nurullah Md Ahsan, Director of DoLs in Khulna Division said "A total of 1,387 sacrificial animals worth around Tk 9.09 crore were sold till Monday at digital cattle markets.

"We are getting positive responses from the customers. We are trying our best to provide satisfying service and so far, we have accomplished a lot. This year, this initiative could have been a great success," he said.

Union Online Center is playing a vital role in making this initiative successful. Already a good number of sacrificial animals are registered on this platform with their age, weight and seller's contact. Animals from different upazilas of Khulna district are getting registered every day, he said. 

With an aim to reduce the number of people coming to buy sacrificial animals from the physical markets, these marketplaces were introduced by the initiative of Khulna Divisional Administration and Khulna Livestock Department, he added.

He, however, said a total of 5.968 sacrificial animals including cows, buffaloes, goats, sheep and camels have already been registered till Monday to be sold in the online cattle markets in Khulna.

Officials of the Khulna Divisional Commissioner Office told that "Government officials from different upazilas of the district are helping the farmers to register their animals. Till now we are satisfied with the responses."

Basically, the animals coming to the different cattle markets in 10 districts of the division for sale are being put up on the 'Online Platforms' and all the districts and upazila administrations are helping deliberately to make this process successful," the officials added.

Convener of the Khulna City Corporation (KCC) cattle market committee and secretary of KCC Sharif Asif Rahman told BSS today, "We have not started our online service this year, and Muslim devotees can buy sacrificial animals physically from the Zoraget cattle market.

He said buyers can buy sacrificial animals from the Zoragate cattle market by using ATM cards or deposit their cash money in a booth that is set up at the market. 

"Buyers could pay money to the sellers of their deposited money from here," he said.

Talking to BSS, Ahsanuzzaman Russel, a banker in the city, said I bought an ox through 'Online Platform' today from a cattle firm owner at Dumuria upazila in Khulna.

Digital platforms are increasingly being chosen by buyers and sellers as a hassle-free and safer option to purchase sacrificial animals, he said.

"Online cattle markets are becoming the preferred choice for many, providing convenience and mutual benefit for both parties," he added.

Chowdhury Masud Mahmud, a government employee, said, I bought an ox from the Government online platform on Monday.

In the digital marketplace, many buyers have already booked their desired animals through advance payments and are set to receive them before Eid day.
 
Established farms remain top choices for buyers in online sacrificial animal markets, as they allow customers to view animals on their online pages and negotiate prices via video calls.

Farmers said they are selling more animals online compared to the conventional markets.

Sayed Wahid Ahmed, owner of Arbi Agro Farm, in the City's Nichkhamar area has been a successful beef fattener for the last couple of years. Ahead of the Eid-ul-Azha, he reared and fattened 11 Ox and is being sold online. 

Md Nazrul Islam, a firm owner of Baliakhali of Dumuria upazila said online cattle sales solely rely on confidence and trust, which must be built with utmost sincerity and honesty. The buyers always opt to get animals at their doorsteps without any hassle. This is why the online market has become popular. 

Farmers who have established their brands now prefer online platforms over traditional markets due to increased demand.

Meanwhile, with only four days left before Eid-ul-Azha, the sale of sacrificial animals has reached its peak in the Khulna division, despite relatively high prices. This comes amid a record supply due to surplus production.

According to market sources, buyers are showing more interest in healthier, hygienic, locally reared cattle than in artificially fattened or imported ones, which are fewer in number.

Bidhan Chandra Ghosh, an official of Khulna DoLs told BSS that a total of 155 veterinary medical teams have been formed in 169 cattle markets across the division to ensure the health of the sacrificial animals.

"These teams will examine animals' health, identify pregnant cattle and provide necessary treatment to prevent disease," he added.

He said that first-aid centres have been set up to provide healthcare services to both buyers and sellers. Screening machines have also been installed in the markets to detect counterfeit notes.

This year, at least 14.35 lakh sacrificial animals were prepared against 10.47 lakh demand in the division.