Mymensingh cattle farmers worried about getting fair prices

Cattle farmers in Mymensingh are worried about getting a fair price for the animals raised for the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha due to the unchecked price increase in cattle feed.

According to Department of Livestock Services (DLS) sources, farmers in the division have raised enough cattle to meet the local demand for sacrificial animals this Eid.

However, marginal farmers in rural areas are worried about making any profit due to the rise in fodder prices and so they ask the government to halt the import of foreign cattle in order to prevent a decline in the price of domestic cattle.

Russell Ahmed, a farmer from Harirampur village in Trishal upazila, has been involved in cattle rearing for 20 years.

Two years ago, he raised five cattle, targeting the sacrificial animal market. However, this year he could only afford to raise one cow.

According to Russell, the prices of all kinds of fodder, including wheat, bran, and straw, have risen. As a result, he could not afford to raise more than one cow. He expects the animal to be sold for Tk 1,50,000 but fears that he might have to sell it for a lower price.

Farmer Sajedul Islam faces a similar situation. The farmer is currently raising two cows and mainly depends on the green grass in fields around his farm as fodder.

“For those who work in agriculture, raising cattle for the sacrificial animal market as a side business is common,” he said.

He expects a market price of Tk 1,20,000 for his cows this season.

Farmer Lal Mia, from Trishal upazila, said the price of food has gone up four times in the last three months.

Marginal farmers were not able to rear as many cows for this Eid as they used to in previous years. Many farmers from rural areas are giving up rearing cattle.

Abdur Razzak, of Nayanpur village in Fulbaria upazila, is worried about getting a fair price due to unusual floods in different parts of the country.

“I have raised a black bull that weighs about 640 kilogrammes and I expect to sell it for Tk 6 lakh. We can only expect to get a fair price if the government decides to stop importing foreign cows,” he said.

Commercial farms have also reduced the number of cattle raised for Eid due to the unbridled prices.

Tofail Ahmed, manager of Harirampur Dairy Farm, said the pandemic had a negative effect on the dairy and meat markets.

“Right as the situation had become normal again; the price of feed went up. We will face severe losses if we cannot sell the cows for a higher price than the previous years,” he said.

Ahmed’s farm used to rear 25-30 cows every year, targeting the market for sacrificial animals, but this year the number has come down to 9.

According to DLS, 5,58,000 cattle have been raised for the sacrificial animal market in four districts of the Mymensingh division. This is about two lakh more than the demand.

Mymensingh DLS Divisional Director Dr Manoranjan Dhar said there are more animals raised for Eid-ul-Azha than the demand in the district.

“Keeping in mind the needs and benefits of the buyers, there will be an online market for buying and selling cows this year also. The DLS medical teams will also work in the haats to ensure the health of the animals,” he added.