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A cattle market, if you think of it, is a fantastic case of globalisation! From Indian to Australian cows, cattle of different countries are in abundance. There is a myriad range of cow breeds in the world, and consequently, there is a wide array of cross-breeds.

A 'pure local deshi' breed is nowadays rather rare. Yet, there are cattle, which are much 'reputed' among Bangladeshis.  

Speaking of reputation, perhaps nothing can match Mirkadim cows. This herd is not exactly a 'breed' of its own; rather, Mirkadim is an area in Munshiganj where these cows are farmed. Of course, not all cows from Mirkadim are the special 'Mirkadim er goru'.

Mirkadim cows cater to a premium and niche market. They are well-fed and exclusively cared for; buyers claim their meat to be of superior taste. The meat is said to have a distinct flavour which cannot be found in any other cows. 

Therefore, prices of these cows are steeper. And even though one could purchase a bigger-sized cow with that money, many among the affluent and gastronomes opt for the Mirkadim cow. These cows are exclusively sold in a particular cattle market in Rahmatganj, Dhaka.

Another much-celebrated variety is the Red Chittagong Cattle (RCC). According to the website of Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations, www.fao.org, it "…originated in the greater Chittagong district of southeastern Bangladesh. The history of the breed is unclear, but current evidence suggests little foreign gene flow into RCC. It is speculated that the breed evolved by inter-mating indigenous breeds…"

Meanwhile, varieties of Sahiwal are very popular in the market.  

On the other hand, when we speak of goats, the most popular is the Black Bengal Goat. According to Banglapedia, it "… comprises more than 90 percent of the total goat population; the remaining ones include the Jamunapari and their crosses."

The Black Bengal Goat farming programme had been used to improve livelihoods of many people in our country. A pair of this goat was even gifted to the Thai princess! 

We love our cattle! And come Eid-ul-Adha, be it the prized Mirkadim or any other, our fascination with Qurbanir haat and our tradition of having a choice of cows are much cherished! 

– LS Desk
Photo: Collected