Religion

Online cattle market in Bangladesh gains traction ahead of Eid

Dhaka, Jul 9 (EFE).- Shakhwat Hossain has joined a growing number of Bangladeshis who are turning to online platforms rather than overcrowded market places to buy a sacrificial cow ahead of Eid al-Adha, the most important holiday of the year for Muslims around the world.

“It was tough to go to market physically, especially in this weather. I was very confused about what to do. Finally, I decided to try online and I found it really easy,” Shakhwat, an official of IDLC Finance, told Efe on Saturday, the eve of the holiday that marks the end of the Hajj, the annual pilgrimage to Mecca.

After choosing a cattle for about $950 on a government platform and contacting the farmer by phone, Shakwat only had to arrange the delivery location.

“All I needed was to drive for 15 minutes. If I had chosen to visit a regular market, I would have had to spend three to four hours in the market,” he said.

Mohammad Didar, another buyer who has resorted to online sales this year, explained to Efe that he didn’t even have to travel.

“I chose one within my area, paid half online and the cow was delivered to my house in Dhaka. I paid the rest when I received the cow. It was a very easy process,” Didar said.

Muslims around the world sacrifice cows, buffaloes, goats and camels to celebrate the end of the pilgrimage to Mecca on the 10th day of the Islamic calendar month of Dhul Hijja, which this year falls on Sunday.

The Bangladeshi government launched the digital marketplace in 2020, at the height of the pandemic, to allow people to purchase the sacrificial animals without breaking the health restrictions in place at the time.

Some 10 million animals are expected to be slaughtered across the country, and organizers of the digital marketplace said the response from farmers and buyers has been positive.

“The response and participation have been very good. due to restrictions because of covid-19, there was a good reception. This year there are no restrictions anymore so, although there are fewer visitors, it has exceeded our expectations,” said Rezwanul Haque Jami, Head of e-commerce, a2i, ICT Division, Bangladesh.

Hasibul Hasan, a farmer from the northern district of Rajshahi, told Efe that the platform has helped him sell his cows.

“I have this farm at the same time as a regular job, so I cannot take all my cows to the market, although thanks to the digital platform I have been able to sell all my cows,” said Hasibul, who has sold about 20 cattle this year. EFE

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