Cattle markets across North Bengal remained largely deserted ahead of Eid al-Adha, with traders and farmers reporting a major decline in business linked to restrictions on cattle sales. From Malda and Siliguri to Cooch Behar and Dinajpur, several weekly cattle markets witnessed low activity, leaving farmers worried about their livelihoods.
Many cattle sellers who arrived at markets on Wednesday reportedly returned home without making any sales. Traders claimed that business worth crores of rupees used to take place before Eid al-Adha every year, but this time, transactions have nearly stopped.
Bapi Mondal, a young cattle owner from Mathurapur in Malda’s Manikchak area, said he spent money throughout the day to feed and maintain his cattle but failed to find buyers.
“I spend around Rs 200 every day on my cattle, but there is no income. If cattle trading stops completely, we will struggle not only to feed the animals but also ourselves,” he said.
Goat Prices Rise as Cattle Become Scarce
With cattle becoming unavailable, demand for goats has increased sharply in many districts. According to local residents, goat meat prices have jumped from around Rs 800–900 per kilogram to nearly Rs 1,500 per kilogram ahead of Eid al-Adha.
Taifur Mondal, a farmer from Doraha village in South Dinajpur’s Kumarganj block, said many families are changing their plans for Eid sacrifices.
“We are not getting cattle for Eid. We will celebrate Bakrid with goats instead,” he said.
Farmers also expressed concerns over agricultural work as the monsoon season approaches. In many rural areas, bullocks are still needed for ploughing and levelling farmland, but cattle shortages have made it difficult for farmers to buy working animals.
Ganesh Barman, a farmer from Cooch Behar, said, “Most farming is now done with machines, but bullocks are still needed for some fieldwork. Many farmers are unable to buy them due to shortages in the market.”
Government Guidelines Impact Livestock Trade
Local traders and farmers linked the decline in cattle trade to the West Bengal government’s recent guidelines on the sale of animals for sacrifice.
Several cattle markets across North Bengal, including Patiram, Harirampur, Dangarhat, Durgapur Haat, Kamalabari Haat, Bangalbari Haat, Ramganj Haat, Panjipara Haat and Mallikpur Haat, have reportedly seen a major fall in cattle buying and selling over the past few days.
Israel Ali, a farmer from Itahar, said the restrictions have created wider problems for livestock owners.
“Because of restrictions on cattle trade, problems are increasing everywhere. Even cows that have stopped giving milk cannot be sold,” he said.
Small Businesses Also Feeling the Impact
The slowdown in cattle trading has also affected small businesses dependent on weekly markets.
At the long-running weekly cattle market in Bolatuli in Old Malda, food stall owner Sadhan Sarkar said fewer visitors meant a major drop in earnings.
“The market mainly depends on cattle trading. If cattle are not being sold, people do not come. That has affected my food business too,” he said.
Farmers and traders across North Bengal say the situation has created uncertainty both for Eid al-Adha celebrations and rural livelihoods, especially as many depend on livestock sales before the farming season begins.
