Truckloads of cattle are arriving in the capital, markets are almost empty of buyers

And in just a few days, the holy Eid-ul-Azha will be celebrated. The capital’s animal markets are ready for Eid-ul-Azha.

In Dhaka, animal purchases usually come to an end. The market is officially scheduled to start from Tuesday (June 3). Therefore, sacrificial animals are arriving in trucks from different parts of the country every day. Like last year, this time too, the number of small to medium-sized cattle is increasing. However, the number of buyers is very low.

Last year, before Eid-ul-Azha, a goat worth 1.2 million taka created a stir across the country. The goat was bought from ‘Sadiq Agro’ in the capital by the son of a senior National Board of Revenue (NBR) official. Instantly, social media started buzzing about this goat. It was as if snakes had come out to dig for worms around the goat case! An explosion of anger against corruption was created across the country.

After the fall of the Awami League government in the student-public uprising, Eid al-Adha is approaching again. However, this time there is no glitter of advertisements for expensive cows or goats. There is no fuss about sacrificial animals on social media. Behind which lies the shadow of the goat slaughter. This reality has caused concern among big farmers. Although the demand seems low, the number of large animals is not small in the markets. And there are wide differences of opinion between buyers and sellers about the price.

Farmers say that there is no demand for big cows this year. Many are leaning towards cheaper and smaller animals. All in all, the goat slaughter has affected the cowsheds, the bargaining at the sacrificial market, and even the farmers’ families.

Meanwhile, the adverse weather that has been going on for the past few days has also affected the markets in Dhaka. Traders are afraid that the animals will catch cold. Along with this, there are various allegations of non-cooperation against the lessees.

The lessees say they are doing their best from their place to ensure that farmers, traders, or any animals are not harmed.