Photo: BSS

DINAJPUR, May 25, 2026 (BSS) - Two farmers in Dinajpur's Bochaganj and Biral upazilas have prepared 34 dumba sheep for sale ahead of Eid-ul-Azha, with each animal expected to fetch between Taka 150,000 and Taka 200,000.

District Livestock Officer Dr. Abdur Rahim said the district's demand for sacrificial animals this year stands at 264,576, while a total of 398,020 animals - including cattle, buffaloes, goats, sheep and the desert-bred dumba - have been prepared for the market.

He said Dinajpur is expected to have a surplus of 133,373 animals after meeting local demand, adding that traders from other districts have already started purchasing animals from local cattle markets.

Dr. Rahim said various livestock farms have been established across the district in recent years, including specialized dumba farms, which have become a unique and promising initiative. 

He said that livestock officials at district and upazila levels are providing farmers with technical support and guidance to encourage livestock rearing.

One of the farms belongs to Md. Abdul Hannan, owner of Johura Auto Rice Mill in Bochaganj upazila. A rice trader by profession, Hannan said he started the dumba farm three years ago out of personal interest after collecting six dumba sheep from India's Rajasthan state.

During a recent visit to his farm, more than 57 dumba sheep were seen being raised under careful supervision.

 Hannan said the animals are fed Napier grass, bran, pulses and chickpeas daily, and are known for their calm temperament.

He said 21 dumba sheep have been prepared for sale this Eid season, expressing hope that each will sell for Taka 150,000 to Taka 200,000. 

Several buyers have already placed advance orders after visiting the farm, while many others are negotiating prices.

Hannan added that he sold 16 dumba sheep during last year's Eid-ul-Azha season and expects all remaining animals to be sold before the festival this year.

Another dumba farm has been developed in Gobindapur Kherbari village under Shatagram Union of Biral upazila by entrepreneur Chowdhury Foyez Taher, locally known as "Chowdhury Saheb."

Taher said his interest in dumba farming began through his long association with Hajj agencies, which allowed him to build friendships with dumba farmers in Saudi Arabia. 

He later brought four dumba sheep to Bangladesh as gifts from Saudi farmers and started his own farm two years ago.

The farm now houses nearly 50 dumba sheep, with 14 large-sized animals prepared for sale during Eid-ul-Azha this year. Taher expects each sheep to sell for between Taka 150,000 and Taka 200,000.

He said the farm has already created employment opportunities for three workers, who are engaged in feeding, bathing, cleaning and overall care of the animals.

According to the farmers, 13 of the 34 dumba sheep prepared for Eid sales have already been booked by buyers from different areas through advance payments, leaving 21 animals currently available for sale.

The dumba sheep were displayed at Setabganj cattle market in Bochaganj on May 23, drawing huge crowds of visitors and buyers eager to see the rare desert animals.

Officials of the Livestock Department described the buying and selling of dumba sheep as an attractive addition to the district's Eid cattle markets and expressed optimism that dumba farming and trading will expand further in the coming years.