15,000 cattle ready for Eid-ul-Azha in Rupganj

About 15,000 cows and goats have been prepared in about 250 farms, including 23 large farms in Rupganj Upazila of the district for the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha.

This time, sacrificial cattle haats will be set up at 13 government and non-government spots in the upazila. However, local residents are afraid of long traffic jams due to the setting up of haats along the Dhaka-Sylhet Highway and Asian Highway Bypass Road.

Talking to the farmers, it is known that the farmers of Rupganj are raising their cattle in a natural way by feeding them with green grass, straw, hay, and rice husk. Among them, Abdur Razzak Sikder of Daudpur has built a domestic cattle farm. From his 2 cow calves, he has now raised about 30 cattle in 10 years. The price of which is Tk 2 lakh to Tk 5 lakh.

However, there are allegations that many farmers are being affected by the risk of diseases in their cattle without getting services from the Upazila Livestock Office. Abdur Razzak Sikder, who is also a deed writer, said, “Since I raise cows only on my own pasture land, locals buy more cows from my farm. Encouraged by this, I chose farming as my profession. Every time Eid comes, cows are smuggled through the Indian border. There is no possibility of cows coming this year. As a result, domestic farmers will get fair price.”

Meanwhile, when talking to ordinary farmers, they said that sacrificial cattle are part of the worship of Muslims. Only naturally fattened cattle are suitable for the holy Eid-ul-Azha.

This time, more than 15,000 cows, goats, and sheep have been prepared for Qurbani in 23 large farms in 2 municipalities and 7 unions of the upazila, including 250 small and large farms. In addition, the sacrificial animals will be sold at the market.

In this connection, Rupganj Upazila Livestock Officer Dr Sajal Kumar Das said, “We provide various trainings on fattening cows to farmers throughout the year. The cows of the upazila farms are provided with healthy food and necessary medicines on time. Therefore, there is a great demand for healthy and strong cows from the farms here among the buyers. That is why these farms are crowded with buyers on Eid-ul-Azha.”

He also said, “This time, it is hoped that we will be able to meet the needs of the upazila and send some animals to the capital and other nearby districts. Our medical team is ready.”

Upazila Nirbahi Officer Saiful Islam said that sufficient law enforcement personnel will be deployed at each market to ensure the safety of buyers and sellers.