Number of sacrificial animals higher than demand

The number of sacrificial animals against the demand during the Eid-ul-Azha is higher this year, says the fisheries and livestock minister.

The time around, nearly 12,124,400 animals are ready to be sacrificed by Muslims during the Eid. So, there is no chance of shortage or crisis, SM Rezaul Karim told an inter-ministerial meeting on Thursday.

The meeting on the supply-demand and proper transportation of sacrificial animals ahead was held at the Department of Livestock Services (DLS) in Dhaka’s Farmgate area.

Rezaul said the government was fully prepared to handle the Eid rush and demand for sacrificial animals. “In the past, we were dependent on other sources for sacrificial animals. But now our production has increased and we have become self-sufficient.”

Last year, a lot of cattle were sold via online platforms. This method will continue this year as well, he said. “There will be a refunding system this time if anyone feels deceived after buying an animal online.”

The minister said, “We have urged everyone to not sell diseased and unsuitable animals for profit. However, the veterinary surgeon will still conduct inspections.”

Measures will also be taken in coordination with Bangladesh Bank to help farmers make financial transactions electronically so that they will not have to carry large sums of cash, he added.

Rezaul also said that cattle farmers in Sylhet and Sunamganj have suffered some losses due to the flood. “DLS is providing them with cattle feed and medical services. Arrangements will be made so that animals from other parts of the country can go to those areas before the Eid.”

Eid-ul-Azha, the second largest religious festival of the Muslims, is likely to be celebrated in the second week of July based on moon sightings.

Fisheries and Livestock Secretary Dr Mohammad Yamin Chowdhury, additional secretaries Shyamol Chandra Karmakar, Md Towfiqul Arif and S M Ferdous Alam, and director-general of the Department of Livestock Dr Monjur Mohammad Shahjada, among others, were present at the meeting.