Farmers across Tangail district are working tirelessly to prepare livestock for the upcoming Eid-ul-Adha, with 233,993 animals set for the Qurbani market.
According to the District Livestock Department, the available stock exceeds the local demand of 195,178 animals, leaving a surplus of 39,883 to be sold in other regions, including the capital, Dhaka.
The livestock comprises 117,278 cows, 500 buffaloes, 107,038 goats, and 9,177 sheep, raised across 26,759 small and large farms in the district. Farmers have focused on natural fattening methods, using green grass, oilseed cake (khail), maize, wheat bran, and straw, and have strictly avoided harmful chemicals.
To ensure safety, the Livestock Department has deployed multiple teams to monitor farms and prevent the use of banned substances.
Despite the healthy stock, farmers are expressing significant concern about the escalating price of cattle feed. Md. Nazmul Islam, owner of Nazmul Agro Farm in Sakrail, who has prepared 51 bulls priced between Tk1.5 lakh and Tk2 lakh each, noted that high costs are making it difficult to maintain profit margins.
Md Shahinur Islam, a worker at the farm, shared that the animals are raised with the same care as one’s own children, relying solely on natural feeds like maize and bran.
Small-scale farmer Abdul Majid and family farm owner Mintu Mia both highlighted the struggle of rising costs, with Majid stating that the survival of local farmers depends on the government’s ability to prevent the entry of cattle from across the border.
Another farmer, Tofazzal Hossain, mentioned he has eight cows for sale, including two weighing over 600 kg, and hopes for a profitable market. In the char areas, local women are also rearing indigenous bulls and goats to achieve self-sufficiency.
Md Helal Uddin, the District Livestock Officer, assured that the administration is prepared to ensure security and medical services at the markets. He confirmed that veterinary doctors would be stationed at every market to provide immediate treatment if an animal falls ill.
Sultan Salahuddin Tuku, Member of Parliament for Tangail-5 and state minister for Fisheries and Livestock, stated that over 1.23 crore cattle are ready for Qurbani nationwide, exceeding the national demand.
He also confirmed that law enforcement and the Border Guard Bangladesh (BDR) have been instructed to prevent the illegal entry of foreign cattle at the borders to protect the interests of local farmers.
