Madanpur cattle market bustles ahead of Eid-ul-Azha
The Madanpur cattle market, one of the largest livestock markets in Netrokona district, has turned vibrant and crowded ahead of the upcoming holy Eid-ul-Azha, with a large number of buyers and sellers gathering from different upazilas of the district as well as neighboring areas. A visit to the market on Wednesday revealed a heavy rush of people from the morning, with the crowd swelling significantly after noon. Traders and buyers from Netrokona, Kishoreganj, and Mymensingh districts were seen actively participating in cattle trading. This year, naturally raised indigenous cattle are drawing the highest attention among buyers.
Local resident Mohammad Shafiullah Fakir said the cattle market was established on the banks of the Dhalai River around 30 to 35 years ago and has since become a regular weekly cattle trading hub every Wednesday throughout the year. Market leaseholders said both buyers and sellers pay Taka 300 each for cattle priced below Taka 50,000, while cattle worth more than Taka 50,000 require a fee of Taka 500 from both parties.
Although large-sized crossbred cattle, including Shahiwal, Friesian, and Australian breeds, are available in abundance, buyers are showing greater interest in local indigenous breeds. Cattle priced between Taka 90,000 and Taka 120,000 are witnessing the highest demand. Farmer Ripon Mia from Rampur village in Kendua upazila brought a locally raised cow to the market and said he expected to sell it for around Taka 1.15 lakh to Taka 1.25 lakh. Another farmer, Pavel Mia from Balaishimul village, sold his large cow for Taka 1.62 lakh after initially asking Taka 2 lakh. He said he earned a profit of around Taka 70,000 after covering the rearing costs.
Humayun Kabir, a cattle wholesaler from Kendua, said he buys cattle from one market and sells them in another throughout the year. He brought two indigenous cows to the market and planned to sell each between Taka 1.15 lakh and Taka 1.20 lakh after initially asking Taka 1.30 lakh. Habikul Mia of Kazir Amati village under Laxmiganj union sold one of his native cows for Taka 1.38 lakh, only Taka 2,000 less than his asking price. He said uncertain market trends ahead of Eid encouraged him to finalize the deal without waiting for a higher profit.
Wholesalers from Nandail in Mymensingh said they planned to purchase cattle from Madanpur market and supply them to larger markets in Dhaka, Chattogram, Sylhet, and other regions. While many visitors came to assess market conditions and negotiate prices, several buyers were seen returning home with purchased cattle. Buyer Sona Mia from Bahadurpur village in Atpara upazila said prices in the market appeared reasonable and acceptable for both buyers and sellers.
Apart from Madanpur market, cattle trading has intensified in several major livestock markets across the district, including Dewan Bazar in Madan upazila, Mojihati Bazar, Chuchua, Challisha, Shimulkandir Bazar, Rajur Bazar, and Naihati Bazar in Barhatta upazila. According to the district livestock department, 11,693 farmers in Netrokona have prepared sacrificial animals for Eid this year. Among them, 84,578 are cows. In total, the district has 1,36,688 sacrificial animals against an estimated demand of 1,17,567, leaving a surplus of 19,121 animals.
District Livestock Officer Dr. Md. Shahidul Islam said there would be no shortage of sacrificial animals in the district this year. He added that 39 veterinary medical teams have been deployed to ensure that animals brought to markets are healthy, disease-free, and free from steroid use. According to district administration sources, 113 permanent animal markets have been set up across various upazilas for Eid-ul-Azha.
Authorities have emphasized strict monitoring to maintain discipline, prevent excessive toll collection, curb counterfeit currency circulation, and ensure overall security in livestock markets. Law enforcement agencies will remain deployed throughout the Eid trading period to safeguard buyers and sellers.
