Cattle farmers in Chapainawabganj are worried about profits ahead of Eid-ul-Azha as rising feed costs and fears of illegal Indian cattle entry put pressure on the local livestock market.
More than 226,000 sacrificial animals, including cows, goats, sheep and buffaloes, have been prepared in the district this year, according to the District Livestock Department.
Against a local demand of 167,020 animals, the district is expected to have a surplus of 58,848 animals during the Eid season.
Farmers and householders across the district are now busy caring for cattle at farms and homes before the festival. Many farmers said they raised animals naturally with nutritious feed without using steroids or harmful fattening substances.
However, they expressed concern over rising production costs and uncertainty over fair prices.
Farmers also urged authorities to stop the illegal entry of Indian cattle through border routes, fearing it could damage the local market and discourage domestic livestock farming.
Shibganj farmer Ashraful Alam Rashid said the prices of feed and other farm products increased sharply in recent months. “Feed that earlier cost Tk40 now costs Tk60, while products sold at Tk20 are now Tk30,” he said.
“It has become difficult to continue farming because of rising expenses.”
Rashid said the Livestock Department was extending support, but farmers also needed interest-free loans and financial assistance. “If the government provides subsidies, local farmers will be able to contribute more to meeting the country’s meat demand,” he said.
He also warned that illegal Indian cattle entry could discourage many farmers from continuing livestock farming in future. Amanura farmer Shariful Islam said he prepared 15 cows for Eid this year.
“No steroids or harmful injections were used to fatten the cattle. The cows were raised naturally with nutritious feed,” he said. Shariful said farmers hoped to get fair prices if Indian cattle do not enter the country illegally before Eid.
Other farmers in the district echoed similar concerns, saying Bangladesh currently has enough sacrificial animals and stricter border monitoring was needed to protect local producers.
Acting District Livestock Officer Sharmin Akhter said the department was providing all-out support to farmers.
“This year, around 30 percent more animals have been prepared in Chapainawabganj than the local demand,” she said. She added that the surplus would also help meet demand in other districts.
Sharmin said the government had taken necessary steps to prevent illegal cattle entry through border areas and hoped local farmers would receive fair prices during the Eid season.
