Amraid Bazaar cattle market in Gazipur gains momentum
Asadullah Masum Kapasia (Gazipur)
The sacrificial cattle market has been packed in Kapasia, Gazipur, with the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha in mind. Cows and buffaloes from different parts of the country started arriving at the cattle market in Amraid Bazaar of the upazila from Tuesday morning. By noon, the market was filled to the brim with sacrificial cattle.
Although there were a lot of large, medium and small-sized cattle in the market, many buyers returned home without buying the cattle due to the high prices. Due to the presence of wholesalers and brokers from different districts including Dhaka, local buyers could not buy the cattle of their choice.
It is known that the cattle market located in Kapasia Amraid area is known as the largest among Dhaka, Kishoreganj and Narsingdi. Although the market is held on Tuesdays and Fridays in the week, cattle are bought and sold only on Tuesdays. However, in view of Eid-ul-Adha, both markets are selling cows, buffaloes, goats, and sheep.
When I went to the market, I saw that a lot of sacrificial animals had arrived at the market. Buyers and sellers said that there was a fair amount of buying and selling. However, there was a high demand for domestic medium-sized cows at the market. Therefore, the price of this breed of cow was relatively high. The price of the largest cow at the market was quoted at 5 lakh taka.
I spoke to Malem Uddin, who brought cows to the market from Sripur. He quoted the price of a large Australian bull at 4.5 lakh taka. Buyers said 3 lakh 10 thousand taka.
Ibrahim Hossain and Yunus Ali of Gafargaon Dutt Bazaar said that they had come to buy domestic medium-sized cows for sacrifice. But the price of such cows is higher than that of large cows. Therefore, many buyers like them are going back. They will go to another market the next day.
On Tuesday afternoon, the market was seen with thousands of cows, buffaloes, and bulls lined up, although only a handful of buyers were seen in the field.
Despite the crowds of sellers scorched by the sun, buyers were not interested in buying cows. This has led to some disappointment among sellers who have come from far away.
Today is one of the days of this market. Today, there will be another market before Eid, said the market leaseholder Taukir Sikder.
Harun Mia, a buffalo trader from Rajshahi area, said, "I have been at the market for two days. I have 60 buffaloes. I thought I would bring buffaloes again. But the sale has not started yet. However, the sale may start from today afternoon. There are two more markets. However, we have to sell buffaloes. Because every day is a lot of expense."
Mansur Ali came from Bhuapur. He said, "I have 200 bulls and bulls. I have to sell these. We have been buying these cows from different parts of the country for the past few months." We know that Amraid Bazar in Gazipur is a big market.
Leaseholder Taukir Sikder said, the five of us have paid 5 crores for this cattle market. Accommodation arrangements have already been made for traders coming from far away to the market. The rent will be collected through 13 counters in the market. Buffalo rent is 1200 taka for buyers, 300 taka for sellers. Bull rent is 800 taka for buyers, 200 taka for sellers, goat rent is 300 taka for buyers, 100 taka for sellers.
After walking around the cattle market for two hours, it can be seen that there are no buyers in the market, but there is a huge crowd of visitors. Everyone is looking at the cows, but no one has bought them. They are bargaining, but no one is buying them. After talking to some buyers, it is known that the prices are much higher this year compared to last year.
Additional District Animal Resources Officer Dr. Lipi Rani Basak said that there will be three monitoring teams in all the markets in the district.
Kapasia Upazila Animal Resources Officer Dr. AKM Atiqur Rahman said that the availability of sacrificial animals in the upazila is 26,598 animals. However, the demand is 27,520. He said that Kapasia has 1,022 cattle.
