As Eid-ul-Azha approaches, the stalls of sacrificial animals in Rangpur division have gathered. In the big haats of the district, the haggling of buyers and sellers is going on from morning till late at night. The market field is filled with native, Shankar and various improved breeds of cows and goats.
But Eid is two days later. During this period, the presence of people in the haats and the import of animals have increased, but the sales are less than last year, farmers and traders said. According to them, agricultural losses in the northern region for a long time, the collapse of potato prices and the weakening of the rural economy in the region due to adverse weather conditions have directly affected the Qorbani market.
Rangpur's traditional Lalbagh, Betgari, Paotana, Palichra, Burirhat and Shathibari haats have been visited, the queues of animals and crowds of people have created a crowded environment but the desired sales are not being made. Many are checking the prices, while others are comfortable watching the animals as an eager crowd. In the crowd of so many people, the number of actual buyers is very less.
According to farmers who brought cows to the markets, a large section of people in the agrarian north have been under economic pressure for the past one year. Many farmers have suffered huge losses, especially in the collapse of the potato market. It has an impact on the ability to sacrifice.
Local traders and farmers said that this time due to the fall in prices in the agricultural economy, about 30 percent of the people of Rangpur region have lost the ability to make sacrifices. As a result, although the market is crowded, the number of actual buyers is relatively less even at the last minute. Most of the people who are bargaining for cows are jobbers or traders.
On Tuesday (May 26) afternoon, the biggest cattle market of Rangpur's Gangachhara upazila was seen in a cane cart, with around four to five thousand sacrificial animals in the market. Today's trading is slightly higher than the last few days in the bustling market, but the ratio is said to be much lower than last year.
A businessman named Ajmal of the city who came to this market said, “People are coming to the market, seeing cows; but not buying as before. Many are reducing their budgets and are leaning towards small cows. They have brought three cows prepared for home sacrifice, but not one has been sold yet. He claimed that the desired price of cows is not matching the price of cow food.
On the other hand, buyers claim that the price of sacrificial animals is much higher than last year. Therefore, the cow does not match the capacity even after many checks. So you are traveling with time.
Meanwhile, the situation is more difficult in the grasslands bordering the Teesta River in Rangpur. According to the locals, due to the decrease in income of people in these areas, the ability to offer sacrifices has come down to about 5 percent.
A resident of Charanchal said, “Earlier every house used to offer sacrifices. Now a few families are giving a cow together. It is difficult for many to bring food to their homes.”
Swapan Miah, the tenant of the cane cart, said that he is worried about whether he will get the desired income from the lease of the Qorbani hut at a high price. According to him, last year the sales in the 15 days of Qurbani haat were quite good. But this time, the desired sale is not happening even at the last moment of Eid al-Adha. He claimed that sales in the huts have decreased by 20 to 30 percent compared to the previous period.
Director of Rangpur Department of Livestock. Mohammad Abdul Hai Sarkar said that there will be a surplus of more than five and a half lakh animals after meeting the needs of Rangpur region. These animals are being sent to different parts of the country. According to him, about 12 thousand crore rupees can be added to the economy of Rangpur division based on the sale and purchase of sacrificial animals.
