With the holy Eid-ul-Azha in mind, cows are being fattened in small and big farms in Bera upazila of Pabna. They are being fed green grass, paddy husk and different types feed in order for them to grow ahead of the occasion. Cattle rearers of Bera upazila of Pabna are busy taking care of cows around the upcoming holy Eid-ul-Azha.
In the past, the cattle rearers of these areas have made the cows suitable for sacrifice by working hard. They have spent both money and labor on these cows. It has been learned that after visiting various cow farms in the upazila and talking to the cattle rearers , they have started fattening cows in a completely indigenous manner this year ahead of Eid-ul-Adha. Cattle rearers also said that at one time regular cattle rearers as well as some seasonal cattle rearers used to use harmful chemicals for human body to quickly fatten cows. However, over the last few years, due to the awareness and activities of the Animal Resources Department, cows are being fattened in a completely indigenous manner by consuming some vitamins including green grass, rice husk and various types of husk.
Md Shawkat Fakir, on behalf of Krishak Bangla Agrolimitt Farm in Teghari area of the upazila, said that this year, 42 cows have been prepared in their farm by eating raw gram gram in a completely indigenous manner. Their farm has produced bulls worth at least Tk 1.5 lakh to Tk 4 lakh. He added that the current price of cattle feed has doubled and every farm is facing expected losses due to the floods. Tia Alam, a farmer from Mohanganj area, said he has prepared four cows on his farm.
Each cow will be sold for two to three lakh rupees. According to the livestock sources of the upazila, the number of farms in the upazila this year is 18,280 including cows, buffaloes, goats and sheep. Abour 56093 halal animals are ready for sacrifice in those farms.
Bera Upazila Livestock Officer Dr Mizanur Rahman said that surveillance is going on in every farm. So that no sacrificial animal can be fattened by chemicals.
These animals prepared for sacrifice are being fed native food including raw grass and rice husk. Cattle rearers are working day and night with training to fatten these sacrificial animals in a natural way.