Chuadanga cattle markets yet to gain momentum

FE Team | Published: July 04, 2022 21:39:59

CHUADANGA, July 04 (UNB): With only five days remaining for Eid-ul-Azha, sales of sacrificial animals at Chuadanga cattle markets are yet to gain momentum.
Buyers, traders and middlemen from different parts of the country and neighbouring districts are thronging different cattle markets of the town and upazilas but the sellers are yet to see expected number of buyers.
The three largest makeshift markets of sacrificial animals in the district are Shialmari cattle market in Jibonnagar upazila, Dugdugi of Damurhuda upazila and Alamdanga cattle market.
During a recent visit this correspondent found huge crowd at Shialmari cattle market that triggered traffic jam on Jibonnagar-Chuadanga regional highway in front of the market. Some policemen were seen working to reduce traffic congestion.
Md Chanchal, who is in-charge of the haat management, said, "People are being continuously asked to comply with hygiene rules to prevent spread of Covid but most of them are ignoring the instruction".
Shafiqul Islam, a trader of Kanchantala village in Jhenaidah district, said, "I have come to sell a cow in the market. I've fixed the price at 0.15 million (1.50 lakh). People are seeing my cow and asking the price."
"I will sell my cow at Tk 0.12 million (1.20 lakh) if the price is offered," he added.
After visiting Shialmari haat on Thursday, this correspondent found most of the buyers were complaining that the prices of cows are much higher this year.
Md Kashem, a buyer from Chuadanga Sadar Upazila, said the price of cows is much higher this time and so we are struggling to buy cows as it is not within my budget."
Meanwhile, the price of goats is lower this year compared to last Eid-ul-Azha, said cattle trader Akkas Ali. "The demand for small goats is higher than big ones in the market. For this reason, the price of small goats is now relatively high."
Jony Shah, the lessee of Dugdugi cattle market, said this time the sales are a little bit low. "Even then cattle worth Tk 30 million to 40 million (3 to 4 crore) have been sold. I hope the sales will increase."
Five teams of Jibonnnagar police are working for the security of this makeshift cattle market, said Md Abdul Khalek, officer-in-charge (OC) of Jibonnnagar police station.
Jibonnnagar Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Md Ariful Islam said machines have been set up to detect counterfeit notes at the cattle market. Besides, members of the law enforcement agencies are working to ensure that no buyer and seller is harassed or cheated.
Besides, measures are being taken to prevent entry of Indian cattle to the market.