Fed on ghee, dry fruits, goats fetch lakhs

Lucknow: On the eve of Eid al Azha (Bakrid) on Wednesday, Bakra Mandi near Joggers Park in Dubagga was abuzz, drawing buyers traders and livestock breeders from Lucknow and neighbouring districts.

A pair of goats named Sultan and Sikandar was bought for Rs 6 lakh. Another pair, of Barbari goats, named Tiger and Shera and priced at Rs 11 lakh was being sold by Mohammad Shabaan and remained the centre of attraction. “While rearing them, we installed a cooler near the enclosure and fed them dry fruits, chickpeas, jaggery and desi ghee,” he said.

A Turkish breed of sheep, locally known as ‘Dumba’, sold at Rs 1.3 lakh. Trader Kamlesh Kumar said the breed is identified by a thick fat layer near the tail region and requires comparatively less fodder.

Spread across a large open ground, the mandi provides selling space to traders from Moradabad, Sitapur, Hardoi and Barabanki districts. Hundreds of goats and sheep of different breeds have been brought for sale. Prices depende on breed, weight and appearance.

To protect the animals from heat, organisers installed tents and industrial coolers across the venue. Drinking water arrangements have also been made for the livestock.

A trader from Malihabad, Asif Ali, who has been selling goats in Lucknow for past 10 years, said demand for quality breeds remains high in the city. “Most of the goats we bring here are sold out every year. This time, however, inflation has affected buying patterns. Customers who earlier bought 10 goats each are now purchasing just five or six,” he said.