Surplus sacrificial animals in Rajshahi

For this year's Eid-ul-Azha, the district of Rajshahi has more than 3.5 lakh sacrificial animals at various cattle farms and household level against the demand for 3.10 lakh and the stock is marked by a surplus of 43,500.

Additional District Livestock Officer Dr Zulfikar Akhter Hossain said demand of sacrificial animal is around 3.10 lakh in the district. But, there are more than 3.54 lakh animals including 56,513 cows, 2.78 lakh goats and 18,565 sheep in around 17,000 small and large scale farms.

"We have more beasts than the demand," he added.

Dr Akhter Hossain mentioned that the local animal husbandry sector has marked a revolutionary boost in recent years following massive steps taken by the government and different development organisations.

Both in rural and urban areas, the poor and marginalised people including women have achieved tremendous successes in the sector getting various assistances from the government and development partners.

Rajshahi region has started becoming enriched with animal resources by dint of house to house cattle farming during the last couple of years.

The feature has brightened the prospects of exporting beef to areas within the country and abroad.

Dr Hossain said many of the rural families have been rearing and fattening calves and bulls commercially and earning huge profits every year. Animal husbandry sector has marked a boost bringing fortune to hundreds of people in the region.

"There is no need of importing animals to meet local demand of sacrificial animals," he added.