Delwar Kabir, Jhenaidah

The dairy farm owners and individuals in six upazilas of Jhenaidah have reared a total of 2.63 lakh animals against the demand for 1.93 lakh during the Eid-ul-Azha. The figure points additional 70,000 sacrificial animals this season.

The scenario was almost different, when huge cattle were brought to Bangladesh from the neighboring country through bordering routes by import or smuggling in illegal means. It is an unbelievable situation in Bangladesh now, said the farm owners and the office of the district livestock in Jhenaidah.

Despite the success in producing cattle in the country, the farm owners and individuals have been facing an untold suffering as the prices of all sorts of fodder, green grass and straw went high, while the price of the cattle was not increased in last two to three years.

A number of dairy farm owners and individuals said, the prices of all fodders have been increased several times in recent years, while the prices of the cattle had not been increased. A bull or other cattleheads which was sold at Tk75,000 to Tk80,000, few years ago, is still on same prices. The middlemen and butchers engaged in selling the beef in the market are benefited here, they said.

Cattle farmers receive the money at time that helps them in maintain the family costs, study of children and meet in necessary round the year.

A source related to the office of the district livestock (DLO) in Jhenaidah said, the farmers and individuals in Jhenaidah sadar, Kaliganj, Kotchandpur, bordering Moheshpur, Shailkupa and Harinakundu have prepared 76,061 bull, 9,856 ox, 2,246 buffaloes, 155,363 goats and 10,045 sheeps this season that was abo0ut 70,000 additional compared to the previous years. About 18,000 farmers and individuals have been playing role in rearing and nursing the animals, they said.

DLO Dr. ASM Atiquzzaman when contacted said the dairy farm owners and individuals in Jhenaidah are very sincere and promising to care their animals.

Despite several limitations, Livestock officials have been providing assistances to the cattle farmers to make them solvent and self-reliant. They producers have started sending the animals at Gabtali and other Dhaka markets ahead of the Eid-ul-Azha.