Rising prices dampen animals’ sales in Badghis

QALA-I-NAW (Pajhwok): Skyrocketing prices of cattle have dampened their sales in western Badghis province, with ranchers demanding foreign market for their animals.

The prices of animals, especially goats and sheep, have increased this year compared to the previous year. Cattle owners are happy over the increased prices, but they find no buyer due to people’s receding buying power.

Mohammad Qurban, a rancher from Baghak area of the provincial capital Qala-i-Naw city, said he has been in this business since 30 years. He said the prices of each sheep had jumped by up to 2,000 afs this year compared to the previous years.

“Currently a good sheep can be sold for 20,000 afs, while such sheep was sold for about 16,000 afs or 18,000 afs last year”, he said.

He said the prices were good this year, but there were fewer buyers.

He urged the authorities to find suitable pastures for their animals and look for foreign markets for their cattle.

Abdul Ghafor, another cattle owner, said the prices of animals had significantly jumped, but their market was thin.

He also urged the government to find foreign markets for their animals and then charge custom duty on animals’ exports.

The animal sellers in Badghis are complaining about lack of buyers due to decreased buying power of people.

Abu Bakkar, a cattle seller, while complaining about lack of sales, said people’s economic situation was not good and demand for animals had declined.

He expected government assistance during years when rainfall level was low such as fodder for their animals and a good market.

Muhiuddin Bashari, the provincial Agriculture and Livestock Department director, said the Islamic Emirate had taken measures recover pastures from land grabbers.

He said some pastures were reclaimed from land grabbers in Ab Kamari, Qadis and Muqur districts and efforts were underway to find some suitable markets for animals.

aw/ma

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