Bakra mandi fails to attract customers
Buyers are heading to other districts in view of high prices and poor turnout of goat farmers
LUCKNOW: Soaring prices and poor turnout of goat farmers at the local bakra mandi here are a cause of worry for the faithful looking for a suitable animal to sacrifice on Eid-ul-Azha. Consequently, many people are now heading towards neighbouring districts like Unnao, Barabanki and Sitapur.
Since there are only a handful of farmers at Mehndi Ghat, the new venue for the bakra mandi that was earlier housed in Hussainabad, the prices of goats are fairly high. “Goat prices are high this time. Even skinny goats cost around Rs 15000 to 20000. It such a situation, going to the markets in the neighbouring districts is perhaps wiser,” said Mohammed Shoeb, a buyer.
People said there was a time when the Hussainabad goat market was considered the best in the state. “But things have changed for the past two years, after the goat market shifted to Mehndi Ghat. Moreover, the harassment that the farmers have to face while transporting their livestock is worsening the situation,” another goat buyer said.
Presently the market has Jamnapari goats, available at around Rs12,000 to 15,000 and Totapari goats available at Rs 40,000 to 45,000, along with some others. “This is certainly not the same bakra mandi that it was in the past. Initially, it was established near Nibu Park. One found a large range in the market to meet the expectations of all. But this time, there are fewer varieties and that too priced very
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Goat prices are high this time. Even skinny goats cost around ₹15,00020,000. Going to the markets in the neighbouring districts is perhaps better MOHAMMED SHOEB, a buyer
high,” said Mohammed Ashraf, another goat buyer.
Some of the buyers said the prices of goats in the rural pockets and in the markets of the neighbouring districts were lower.