The country has a saleable stock of 12.5 million animals, of which the Rajshahi division alone is expected to provide a maximum of 36 per cent or 4.5 million heads this Eid-ul-Azha.
Taking into account the demand for 10.4 million cattle, the country has a surplus of 2.1 million heads this year, ahead of the sacrificial festival.
Fisheries and Livestock Minister SM Rezaul Karim disclosed the information at a press briefing held at the ministry on Wednesday.
He briefed the reporters after the interministerial meeting on cattle stock, supply, transportation and other preparedness ahead of Eid.
The minister said that Chattogram, Rangpur and Khulna are expected to supply 2.05 million, 1.96 million, and 1.51 million cows, goats, buffalos, sheep and other animals respectively this year.
According to him, Dhaka division cattle rearers and farm owners have 0.9 million animals.
The minister announced that cattle rearers and farmers will not have to pay any charges on sales in case it takes place at the farm or on the way to cattle markets. This would be ensured through the active involvement of law enforcers.
The minister said that leaseholders of temporary cattle markets and their agents cannot charge 'hassil' from a farmer or ranch owner if they sell the animal at home or at the ranch.
If a cattle farmer can manage a customer on their own, they will be exempt from the fees, he said.
SM Rezaul Karim mentioned that the country has a supply of 12.5 million against a demand of 10.4 million, which means it currently has a cattle surplus of over 2.1 million.
To protect the interests of local cattle farmers, the home ministry has adopted a zero-tolerance policy on the illegal trafficking of animals from neighbouring countries, he said.
Uninterrupted transportation of cattle on highways and within cities will be ensured, while law enforcers will be active in preventing extortion, he added.
Law enforcers will ensure that no one harasses cattle farmers during the festival, he said, adding, digital payment and online sales will continue this year as well.
Among others, Fisheries and Livestock Secretary Dr Nahid Rashid, Director General of Livestock Services (DLS) Dr Md Emdadul Hoque Talukder, representatives from the Cabinet Division, LGD, Public Security Division, Bangladesh Bank and Bangladesh Dairy Farmers Association were also present.
According to the ministry, local farms have 4.84 million cows and buffalos and 7.6 million goats and sheep in stock for Eid sales, as the festival will be observed in the last week of this month.
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