Fisheries and Livestock Minister SM Rezaul Karim said on Wednesday that the country is experiencing a surplus of sacrificial animals, rather than a shortage. “The total number of cattle available for sacrifice this year is 1,25,36,333, which is 4,11,944 more than the previous year,” he said during the inter-ministerial meeting on Wednesday at the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock's conference room in the secretariat. Also Read: Eid-ul-Azha 2023: 1,76,690 sacrificial animals ready in Chapainawabganj He further said that the estimated demand for sacrificial animals this year is 1,03,94,739, resulting in a surplus of 21,41,594 animals. The distribution of sacrificial animals across different divisions is as follows: Dhaka division with 895,454, Chattogram division 20,53,128, Rajshahi division 45,11,614, Khulna division with 15,11,708, Barisal division with 4,93,206, Sylhet division 4,10,225, Rangpur division 19,62,951, and Mymensingh division 6,98,047 sacrificial cattle. Rezaul Karim emphasised that the country's livestock production has increased significantly, making it self-sufficient and not reliant on imported animals. Also Read: Eid-ul-Azha 2023: Cumilla to have a surplus of 8,606 sacrificial animals, says livestock dept He said, “We will be able to meet the demand for sacrificial animals solely through domestically produced livestock. There will be no need to rely on animals from outside the country.” Furthermore, the minister ensured that no diseased or sick animals would be allowed for sale in the Qurbani market this year. Similar to the previous year, veterinary medical teams will be deployed in animal markets nationwide to enforce this measure, he said. also read: With Eid-ul-Azha approaching, Khulna cattle famers distraught over price hike of fodder “To facilitate farmers, 999 helpline will assist farmers in selling their sacrificial animals in the market as per their choice, preventing any forceful transportation of animals along the roads. Local law enforcement agencies will be responsible for implementing necessary measures in this regard,” added the minister. Regarding revenue collection, he clarified, “If a farmer sells animals from their farm, no revenue will be collected from them.” Similarly, if a farmer sells animals from their residence, they will not be required to pay any proceeds, he said. Additionally, if someone sells animals while on their way to the market, the lessee collector will not be authorised to forcibly collect payment or revenue from them.”    

Around 9,500 metric tonnes of the waste of sacrificial animals on the holy Eid-ul-Azha were removed from Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) on Sunday. Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) has removed 19,223 metric tonnes of sacrificial animal waste so far. The DSCC cleared this massive amount of animal waste from 11am on July 9 to 11am on July 11, said a media statement from the corporation on Monday. Besides, DSCC has also removed 100 per cent waste of sacrificial animals from 75 wards while DNCC removed 100 per cent sacrificial animal waste within 1:15am on Monday. This year, sacrificial animals were slaughtered in nine specific places in three wards of DNCC on an experimental basis. Read: Eid-ul-Azha: DNCC claims to have removed 80pc animal waste

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 neighboring districts are thronging different cattle markets of the town and upazilas but the sellers are yet to see expected number of buyers. Read: No cattle market on roads and highways: Minister 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 the UNB 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 hat 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.

The government has launched "Digital Haat", a digital marketplace for consumers to buy sacrificial animals for the third time.This year, the Ministry of Commerce, Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC), Bangladesh Dairy Farm Association (BDFA), a2i, Ekshop and e-Cab are conducting a joint venture to operate the online platform.Fisheries and Livestock Minister SM Rezaul Karim was the chief guest while State Minister for ICT Junaid Ahmed Palak presided over the function which was conducted virtually on Sunday.Inaugurating the platform, Fisheries and Livestock Minister said, "If you don't like your animals after purchasing from digital haat, you can return the animals. No one has to become a victim of fraud."He also said those who used to laugh at the digital system are now taking advantage of Digital Bangladesh.Digital Haat will also provide smart cards and other apps services for financial transactions.The development of digital infrastructure of the government has made it possible to improve the quality of today's Digital Bangladesh and other digital services, said State Minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak at the inauguration programme.Currently the digital network has expanded at the union level. Four digital technologies have been developed to create digital ecosystems to eliminate harassment and corruption by ensuring transparency and accountability of transactions. The implementation of these technologies will further increase discipline and confidence in the e-commerce sector, the minister hopes.After the inauguration of Digital Haat-2022, he bought a sacrificial animal from the Haat and it was later donated to Manabseva, an e-cab-run organization, for distribution among the distressed people in the flood-hit areas of Sylhet.More than one crore of sacrificial animals were sold across the country every year.In order to reduce the crowds and suffering, in 2020, for the first time, the sale of sacrificial animals was started on the online platform 'Digital Pashur Hat' (digitalhaat.net).Through this market, 26,000 animals were sold in 2020 and 3,87,00 in 2021.This year, a total of 4,407 eid cattle markets will be set up where everyone must follow Covid health guidelines.

Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi has said that the online sales of sacrificial animals could touch 7 lakh this year, with more and more people preferring the virtual way of buying amid Covid-19. “I think the sales of animals could touch 5-7 lakh this year. Last year, the figure was about 1 lakh," he said at a webinar on the 'Impact of E-commerce on SMEs' held in Dhaka on Thursday. On the virtual promotion of products manufactured by the small and medium enterprises (SMEs), Tipu said his ministry has been working to help them.  Also read: Digital Haat and more Qurbani Cow online shops targeting Eid-ul-Azha in Bangladesh “But cooperation from all stakeholders are required to achieve success in this regard. We all have to move forward together," he said.  The virtual seminar, organised by Better Bangladesh Foundation (BBF), was also addressed by director (news) of Channel-i Shykh Seraj, Chairman of SME Foundation Prof Masudur Rahman, BBF chairman Prof Masud A Khan, director general of WTO Cell of Commerce Ministry Hafizur Rahman, General Secretary of E-Commerce Association of Bangladesh Abdul Wahed Tamal, and Director of Walton Group Sabina Jarin Orona. Sharing his own experience of buying a cow through an online platform during Eid last year, Tipu said that initially there were some problems with the virtual trading process. "But they have been resolved in consultation with Bangladesh Bank." Also read: 27,000 sacrificial animals sold online ahead of Eid On his part, Shykh Seraj spoke about the huge scope for e-commerce in the country. "But there is a need for an umbrella body to bring all the SMEs under it, especially the rural producers and traders. This would help them tap the potential that e-commerce has in Bangladesh." "SME Foundation, ICT Ministry and Commerce Ministry can play a vital role in this regard," he added. Hafizur Rahman, however,  rued the lack of mechanism in the country to promote many SMEs producing "lost products" through financial inclusion. Abdul Wahed said that ECB has 1,600 members connected to 12,000 SMEs. "But most of these SMEs are from urban areas.  Also read: SMEs are lifeline to country's economy: Tipu Munshi   Initiatives are required to promote the rural SMEs as well so as to involve them in the virtual sales platforms," he said. 

Alongside the online sale of sacrificial animals, cattle markets will be set up across the country following health guidelines ahead of Eid-ul-Azha, said Local Government and Rural Development (LGRD) Minister Md Tajul Islam on Tuesday. “Eid-ul-Azha is the second biggest festival of Muslims and people’s emotion is involved in it. Last year, cattle markets were set up  amid the Covid-19 pandemic and this year the government has also decided to set up cattle markets by maintaining health protocols including social distancing,” he said. The Minister came up with the information while addressing an inter-ministerial meeting virtually over the preparations of Eid-ul-Azha. There will be one way communication in the cattle markets and the exit and entry points will be separate, said Tajul. Also read: Cattle markets open in Dhaka amid low arrival, high prices Besides, the authorities concerned will take measures to ensure that all will maintain  health guidelines at the markets , he said. All necessary tools including temperature measuring machines, hand sanitizing tools and soap must be kept at cattle markets, said the Minister. He also asked the authorities concerned to remove the waste of sacrificial animals within 24 hours. Tajul also urged people to buy cattle  online. “All necessary steps have been taken ensure buy and sale of cattle  online and necessary measures will be taken to ensure social distancing in the cattle markets. Already the government has taken steps to create awareness among people through advertisement and a guideline was issued from the Health Directorate about waste management and cattle purchase,” he said. Also read: 10 cattle markets to be set up maintaining health rules: DNCC Mayor Issuing a warning, the LGRD Minister said “No cattle market will be allowed at places that disrupt traffic movement and legal action will be taken against those who will violate the order.” He also asked the public representatives to monitor the overall situation in the cattle market. Mayors of all city corporations, senior secretaries and high official concerned of the Local Government Ministry joined the meeting.

Customers can now buy sacrificial animals from online cattle markets through bKash payment. Apart from buying animals from 11 online markets, they can also get home delivery and meat processing services through bKash payment. Of the 11 online markets, customers can buy cow and goat from Daraz, Othoba, Priyoshop, Gorur Hut, and Sadeeq Agro; cow from Ajkerdeal, BD Gorur Hut; goat from Jogan, Hungrynaki, and Khasihaat through bKash payment. Read: Online shopping: Up to 25% cashback on bKash payment A customer can choose the animal by visiting a relevant link or website. There is also a chance of talking to the seller directly over the phone or in some cases seeing the animal through video. After proper scrutiny, the customer can select the preferred animal and pay through bKash. Not only buying sacrificial animals, but customers can also enjoy services like booking of butchers and home delivery service from TruckLagbe. Customers can make home delivery payments through bKash as well. Customers from Dhaka will be able to pay for cattle on Priyoshop, Hungrynaki, and Khasihaat among 11 digital markets while customers from all districts can buy sacrificial animals from Ajkerdeal, Sadeeq Agro and Gorur Hut. Read: Up to 500 Tk Cashback on card to bKash 'Add Money' Customers from Dhaka, Chattogram and Sylhet can buy a sacrificial animal from Daraz.

Livestock farmers in Chapainawabganj have entire herds of cattle they intend to sell for slaughter ahead of Eid-ul-Azha, despite being in the news recently for being crippled by COVID-19. Officials at the district Livestock Department said around 1.5 lac sacrificial animals are ready to be sacrificed in the district for Eid-ul-Azha. They are expecting to supply those to other districts after fulfilling local demand, they said. Read: No cattle from outside country ahead of Eid-ul-Azha: Livestock Minister The farmers of the district told UNB that there is no need to bring sacrificial animals from the other side of the border keeping in mind the Covid-19 situation, as they are confident that the homegrown cattle would be enough to meet the demand. They also demanded the authorities concerned take steps  to halt smuggling of cattle from India to ensure fair prices for local farmers. Livestock farmers are now busy nurturing cattle in more than 13,000 cattle farms in the district. The financial health of these farms depends to a great extent on good sales for Eid ul Azha.  Local livestock officer doctor Mostafizur Rahman confirmed the numbers to UNB. Read:Digital Haat 2021 launched with target to sell 1 lakh cattle before Eid “The total demand of cattle for slaughter in the district is no more than 1.04 lac, but more than 1.5 lac cattle are ready in the district,” he said. That means the farmers plan to sell almost 50,000 cattle to other parts of Bangladesh. Eid ul Azha is expected to be celebrated in around a fortnight's time in Bangladesh, depending on the sighting of the moon. The country is currently in the midst of a strict lockdown due to Covid-19. But Chapainawabganj has been in lockdown from the last week of May, when cases started shooting up in the district after the Delta variant of the virus, then known simply as the Indian variant, was detected in multiple patients in the frontier district.  In this situation the cattle farmers may face some extra bottlenecks in transporting the cattle to different parts of the country. They may possibly take a leaf out of the mango farmers in the district, another thriving trade in the district.  Read:Enough cattle in Bangladesh for sacrifices during Eid: DLS While lockdown was imposed in Chapainawabganj, the 'seasonal mango business' was exempted from the restrictions, allowing for the region's famous mangoes to be enjoyed by the entire country, and the farmers to do a roaring trade in the seasonal fruit. Even buyers from outside the district were allowed to go in and buy mangoes. Whether cattle farmers can benefit from a similar directive remains to be seen.  In the latest numbers, the Covid-19 situation has been improving somewhat in the district. On July 3 the district reported 61 new cases. 

Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) on Sunday launched an online marketplace of sacrificial animals titled ‘Digital Haat’ with a target to sell one lakh cattle ahead of the Eid-ul Azha. LGRD and Cooperatives Minister Md Tazul Islam virtually inaugurated the online platform by purchasing a cow of Tk 148,000 from the online marketplace. The e-Commerce Association of Bangladesh (e-CAB) and Bangladesh Dairy Farm Association are jointly implementing the digital haat. Read Digital Cattle Markets in Bangladesh to Buy Sacrificing Animals Online Anyone can buy sacrificial animals from the digital cattle market https://digitalhaat.net/ staying home. The people outside DNCC can purchase animals from the site as well. “Last year, some 27,000 cows were sold off through the digital market in three weeks ahead of Eid-ul Azha. This year we’ve a target to sell 100,000 cows,” DNCC mayor Atiqul Islam while presiding over the launching ceremony of the Digital Haat. The mayor said DNCC will also render sacrificial animal slaughtering services to the people of the Dhaka metropolitan area. A person will be able to book for the slaughtering service from the page of the digital market even before he or she purchases cattle. The booking deadline for the service is July 12, he said. Read 1.5 lac cattle ready for slaughter in Chapainawabganj, but will Covid-19 stand in the way? This year, they’ve a target to provide the slaughtering services of 1,000 cows, he said, adding that the target will be enhanced gradually in future. He said they will reach the meat of the sacrificial animal to the doorstep of the service recipients through freezing vans. But the rawhide will be given to an NGO named ‘Manobseba’and no payment will be given to the slaughtering service recipients for the rawhide. Atiqul said they will set up modern slaughtering houses nearby the Gabtoli permanent cattle market as the Prime Minister instructed him to establish such slaughtering houses. READ: Sufficient sacrificial animals available in Faridpur despite pandemic Besides, the DNCC mayor said the sacrificial animals will be sold in total nine cattle markets – Gabtoli permanent cattle market and nine temporary markets—under the DNCC area. But there will be a live corner in every market and the buyers can see cattle live from the corner staying home, he said. Atiqul said there is no scope for buyers and sellers to be deceived as the transaction will be made through Escrow system. An escrow is a contractual arrangement in which a third party receives and disburses money or property for the primary transacting parties, with the disbursement dependent on conditions agreed to by the transacting parties. Read No cattle from outside country ahead of Eid-ul-Azha: Livestock Minister Explaining the Escrow system, the mayor said the sellers will not get money directly immediately after the payment is made. “The payment will initially go to an account of Bangladesh Bank. The money will be sent to the seller only after the buyer confirms of receiving the animal and expresses satisfaction,” he added. Addressing the function, Fisheries and Livestock Minister SM Rezaul Karim said now there are more than 41 crore livestock animals (41,22,44,000) in the country. “We’ve 1.19 crore sacrificial animals ready for the upcoming Eid-ul Azha,” he said. READ: Khulna braces for shortage of sacrificial animals ahead of Eid-ul-Azha The Minister said the government did not allow any animal from outside the country during the  last two Eid-ul Azhas and Bangladesh didn’t face any shortage of cattle as well. “We’ve enough animals this year too,” he said, adding that there is no need to import sacrificial animals. Rezaul said they want not a single animal to enter the country even in any illegal channel with a view to protect the interest of the local farmers. Read Enough cattle in Bangladesh for sacrifices during Eid: DLS The Fisheries and Livestock Minister said they have a plan to set up a modern slaughtering house in every municipality and growth centre across the country. Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr. Hasan Mahmud, Post and Telecommunications Minister Mustafa Jabbar, State Minister for ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak and FBCCI President Jashim Uddin, among others, spoke on the occasion. e-CAB president Shomi Kaiser, who moderated the function, said more than 100 merchants –--including 45 members of the last year's platform, members of e-CAB and Dairy Farm Association--- will be in the online marketplace. Read Cattle smuggling on amid concern about Indian Delta variant e-CAB general secretary Abdul Wahed Tomal made a presentation over the digital haat.

Although many districts are bracing for a shortage of sacrificial animals ahead of the Eid-ul-Azha due to the worsening Covid-19 situation in the country, Faridpur is an exception. Livestock farmers are now busy nurturing cattle in more than 5,000 cattle farms  in nine upazilas of the district ahead of Eid-ul-Azha, the second largest festival of Muslims when over one crore cattle are sacrificed across the country. Officials at district Livestock Department said more than 50,000 sacrificial animals are ready in the district for the Eid-ul-Azha. They are expecting to supply those to other districts after fulfilling local demand, they said. The farmers of the district told UNB that there is no need to bring sacrificial animals from the other side of the border keeping in mind the Covid-19 situation, as they are confident that the homegrown cattle would be enough to meet the demand. They also demanded the authorities concerned take steps  to halt smuggling of cattle from India to ensure fair prices for local farmers. READ: Khulna braces for shortage of sacrificial animals ahead of Eid-ul-Azha Eid-ul-Azha, the festival of sacrifice, is likely to be celebrated across the country in late July for the second consecutive year under the shadow of a surging Covid-19 pandemic. Keeping the status quo in mind, relevant authorities have taken steps to shift the major part of animal sales online. Faridpur District Animal Resources Officer. Nurullah Md. Ahsan said,"We have taken initiative to sell sacrificial animals online in every upazila of the district this year. Farmers are posting pictures of  their cattle on dedicated facebook pages and online spaces alongside their weight and value.” He said at least 48,349 cattle if not more have been prepared  for sale in the coming Eid despite the district having a demand of only 36,000. Syed Zahurul Alam, owner of Syed Shah Ali Baghdadi, a large farm in Gerda area of Faridpur Sadar Upazila, said his farm has 60 large and medium-sized cows. He said that he has bought improved breeds of young cows and made them bigger for the sacrificial market. READ: 27,000 sacrificial animals sold online ahead of Eid He also added that they did not use any harmful chemicals for fattening their cattle this year. “Many have been employed in my farm,” the proud owner said. Abrar Nowsher, owner of Tahera Agro in the same area, said 50 large cows have been prepared for the sacrificial market on his farm. "We have raised the animals through proper care throughout the year and hopefully we will get a good price," he said.