Cattle farmers in Sirajganj are now busy fattening cattle ahead of Eid-ul-Azha, with more than 617,000 sacrificial animals prepared to meet the growing seasonal demand.
Farmers and traders said preparations have intensified across the district as the annual religious festival approaches, with hopes of better earnings during the peak cattle trading season.
According to the district livestock department, farms in all nine upazilas have been rearing and fattening cows, buffaloes, goats and sheep for several months.
Fattening activities are particularly visible in Shahjadpur, Ullapara, Enayetpur and Belkuchi upazilas, while farmers in Kamarkhanda, Raiganj, Chauhali, Kazipur and Sirajganj Sadar are also actively raising sacrificial animals.
Apart from commercial farms, many rural households are rearing cattle on a small scale as an additional source of income ahead of Eid.
Trading of sacrificial animals has already begun at some local cattle markets, although traders expect the main rush to start closer to Eid.
District livestock officials said campaigns are underway to discourage the use of harmful chemicals and steroids in cattle fattening.
“We are regularly visiting farms and encouraging farmers to follow natural fattening methods,” said Dr Anarul Haque, an official of the district livestock department.
He said farmers are also receiving medicines, technical assistance and training to ensure healthy livestock production.
Farmers, however, expressed concern over the rising prices of cattle feed, saying higher feed costs are increasing overall production expenses.
“As feed prices continue to rise, the cost of raising cattle is also going up. That may push up cattle prices this Eid season,” said Abdur Rahim, a cattle farmer from Shahjadpur upazila.
According to the livestock department, a total of 617,723 sacrificial animals have been prepared in the district this year against a local demand of around 293,000 animals.
Officials said the surplus livestock will be supplied to Dhaka and other parts of the country ahead of Eid, creating income opportunities for both commercial farmers and marginal rural households.
There are currently 27 permanent and 20 temporary cattle markets in the district where sacrificial animals will be traded, officials said.
Veterinary teams will remain active at cattle markets to inspect animals and provide necessary medical support to ensure safe trading and animal health.
Authorities are also taking online promotional initiatives to help farmers market their cattle and connect with buyers more easily ahead of Eid-ul-Azha.