Shawdesh desk:

In preparation for the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha, a total of 33,937 farmers in Cumilla are currently rearing sacrificial animals and concerned authorities said there will be a surplus of approximately 8,000 animals.

According to the Cumilla District Department of Livestock, the demand for sacrificial animals in 17 upazilas of the district is estimated to be 2,20,492. The district already has 2,29,098 animals, resulting in a surplus of 8,606 animals for the entire district.

A recently conducted survey indicated that Laksam upazila is leading in animal rearing in the district.

A total of 2,592 farmers in this upazila are rearing 21,000 sacrificial animals, surpassing the upazila’s demand by 7,500. Similarly, Meghna Upazila has 1,605 farmers who have reared 9,839 animals for sacrifice, exceeding the upazila’s demand by 2,400.

However, certain upazilas are facing shortage of animals. Chauddagram is experiencing a shortage of 273 animals, Nangalkot 608, Chandina 426, Debidwar 4,335, Homna 395, and Sadar South 1,039.

Cumilla’s Livestock Training Officer, Chandan Kumar Poddar, said, “In upazilas facing shortages, animals are often sourced from neighbouring upazilas or districts. Due to Cumilla’s geographical importance, cows are transported by trucks from across the country, including neighbouring districts.”

Concerns were voiced by Rubel Sardar, a farmer from Barura’s Jhalam area, who said, “We are facing losses as the price of animal feed continues to rise. Additionally, the entry of cows from India could further deteriorate the market.”

Md. Nazrul Islam, an official from the Department of Livestock, said there is no possibility of a shortage of sacrificial animals in Cumilla. “Additionally, we will establish a medical team in the haat (market), and the cooperation of the market committee will be crucial in this regard,” he said.