Preparations of Eid-Ul-Azha is on in full swing in the country. With the festival round the corner, the goat market in Meherpur’s baradi, known as the largest goat market in the South Western region, is busting with activity.
Apart from Eid, this market is open on Saturdays and Wednesdays throughout the year. The famous meat brand ‘Black Bengal’goats are usually sold in this market.
When visiting, it is seen that there is a crowd of traders from different parts of the country to buy goats there. Both the buyers and sellers were bargaining. The market became lively with their chanting.
Besides buyers from local districts, a number of traders from Dhaka, Chittagong, Barisal, Rajshahi, Faridpur, Rajbari and Sylhet also come to this market in a regular phenomenon as fame of the meat of this area is nationwide. They have come this time too. Goat traders are buying goats and loading trucks to take them to different districts of the country.
Market authorities told that Baradi goat market, whose age has passed hundred years was first established as animal market in Meherpur district. After this hat, more markets were established in Meherpur sadar, Gangni upazila and Bamandi in the district, but Baradi Goat Market remains the same for buyers.
The price of goats varies from Tk 8,000 to Tk 50,000 depending on the breed. However, in addition to the back Bengal goats, various hybrid goats have come to the market. These are goats of Totapuri, Haryana. Some sheep were also seen.
Israfil Hossain, the lessee of the bazar, said that three to four thousand goats are bring in for each market. About 6,000 goats were imported on Wednesday (June 12).
Local goat trader Matiur Rahman Laltu said that a large amount of goats have been brought in the market ahead of Eid al-Azha. He said that there are more than 50 traders who buy goats from different villages and sell them to outside traders in this market. Laltu said, more traders from other districts have come this year. That's why relatively good prices are available.
Shamsur Rahman Babu came to market from Meherpur Sadar Upazila. He said that though huge of goats is brought, but the price is also high. According to him, most of the goats are going to the outer districts.
Sources close to the buyers said, due to the arrival of traders from outside, the price has increased.
District Livestock Officer Dr. Harishul Abid told The Kushtia Times that that the demand for sacrificial goats in Meherpur district is more than 50,000.
He said, however, 1.28 lakh sacrificial goats have been prepared in the district. He said, this time, diseases of the goats were less.
He said, attraction of Black Bengal’ brand is moing to different parts of the country through traders.