Natural cattle fattening method gaining popularity in Bogura, Nilphamari

Hundreds of cattle rearers across the district have been applying natural fattening method to sell those animals in the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha market.

According to the district livestock office, more than 400 cattle fattening farms have been set up in Dupchanchia, Kahaloo, Adandighi, Shibganj, Sherpur, Nandigram, Dhunot, Shariakandi, Shonatola, Gabtoly, Shajhanpur and Sadar upazilas of the district.

A good number of rearers said they use Napier, Jumbo and Pungchu grasses as fodder.

The farmers said they also feed their cattle boiled rice.

Sources said cattle rearers of the district are getting fair prices during this season. Most of the cattle farmers are satisfied over the present market prices.

Deputy Director (DD) of district Department of Youth Development Biraj Chandra said every year some 400 unemployed youths of the district take training on cattle farming from the department.

Cattle rearing is now a good venture, he added.

The department also provides financial support to rearers on a small interest rate.

A good number of poor have changed their socio-economic condition by rearing cattle head, he added.

"I have reared six oxen at my farm," said Abdul Wahab of Gabtoly upazila, adding, "I have sold all of the animals recently and made a profit of over Tk 0.3 million" he added.

District livestock officer SM Shafiuzzaman said cattle farming is expanding across the district. Many unemployed youths in all the 12 upazilas set up cattle farm and attained self-reliance.

Our Nilphamari correspondent adds: Farmers of nearly 1,000 cattle rearing and fattening farms are now passing busy time as Eid-ul-Azha is knocking the door.

Some 15,000 cattle are being reared at those farms for the Eid.

Sources said a few months ago prices of cattlehead dropped in the markets. That time rearers purchased cattle at a low rate to sell those in the cattle market of Eid-ul-Azha.

At that time a small bull was sold at Tk 18,000, a medium one at Tk 25,000 and a big one at Tk 30,000.

Abdur Rahman of Itakhola union under Sadar upazila said he purchased five cattles at Tk 90,000 three months ago which he was rearing and fattening since then.

He said his rearing cost of each of the bulls would be nearly Tk 2,500 and he would able to sale at a price of Tk 30,000 each of the animals.

Thus he is expecting to make a net profit of nearly Tk 60,000 this season.

Our Magura Correspondent adds: Cattle rearers are expecting Tk 850 million during the current Eid season.

The district livestock office sources said a total of 13,187 cattleheads have been rearered and fattened in the district.

Mukter Hossein of Bashkuta village under Sadar upazila said, "I brought three cattle heads at Tk 0.11 million around 10 months ago. I am expecting Tk 0.25 million profit from the sale of the three cattle."

Krishna Ghosh of village Kukna village under Magura Sadar said, "I followed natural cattle fattening method. I did not use steroid drugs on my cattleheads."

He said he raised his cattleheads according to the suggestion of livestock officials.

Market sources said traders from Dhaka, Chattogram, Sylhet and other districts start visiting the area for purchase cattle heads.

District livestock officer Kanai Lal said, "We always discourage the rearers not using steroid for cattle fattening. We are trying to ensure a steroid-free cattle market in Magura."