Photo: BSS

FENI, May 16, 2026 (BSS) - A total of 90,452 sacrificial animals have been prepared in Feni district ahead of the upcoming holy Eid-ul-Azha, exceeding the local demand by 7,927 animals, according to the District Livestock Department.

Officials said the demand for sacrificial animals across the district’s six upazilas is estimated at 82,525 this year. To meet the demand, farmers and traders have raised and stocked a large number of cattle, goats, buffaloes, and sheep.

The prepared animals include 71,569 cows, 13,229 goats, 1,735 buffaloes, and 3,919 sheep.

More than 5,000 farmers are currently busy caring for their livestock, while seasonal traders have also started collecting animals for retail sale ahead of Eid.

Among the upazilas, Chhagalnaiya has the highest number of sacrificial animals at 24,360, followed by Feni Sadar with 22,415 and Sonagazi with 18,375 animals.

Besides, 8,875 animals have been prepared in Daganbhuiyan, 8,378 in Parashuram, and 8,049 in Fulgazi upazila.

District administration sources said a total of 129 permanent and temporary cattle markets will be set up across the district for Eid trading. Of these, 114 are temporary markets and 15 are permanent.

Feni Sadar and municipality areas will host 42 temporary markets, while 15 will operate in Chhagalnaiya, seven in Fulgazi, eight in Parashuram, 19 in Daganbhuiyan, and 21 in Sonagazi.

Sadar Upazila Livestock Officer Dr. Md. Shahidul Islam said interest in cattle and goat farming is increasing in the district due to its profitability and safety. He said that higher milk prices in Feni compared to other districts have also encouraged more entrepreneurs to invest in livestock farming.

District Livestock Officer Dr. Delwar Hossain said 5,407 farms are now making final preparations for Eid sales. He added that 37 medical teams from the Livestock Department are monitoring farms and cattle markets to ensure animal health and safety.

Farm owner Arafat Khan of Hasina Agro said he expects good profits this season despite increased production costs.

“The cost of raising cattle has gone up due to higher feed prices. The cost of a small cow has increased by around Taka 20,000, while a large cow costs about Taka 40,000 more than before,” he said.

Meanwhile, law enforcement agencies have tightened security measures at cattle markets across the district.

Additional Superintendent of Police (DSB and Crime) Md. Saiful Islam said police and other agencies are fully prepared to ensure security at the markets. He said fake currency detection machines will be installed at different cattle markets with the assistance of banks.

Feni BGB-4 Commander Lt. Col. MM Zillur Rahman said border security has been strengthened to prevent illegal cattle entry and smuggling of sacrificial animal hides.

Deputy Commissioner Monira Haque said no cattle market will be allowed on roads or highways during Eid. She added that adequate safety measures have been taken for traders coming from different areas, including arrangements to prevent the circulation of counterfeit currency.