Dumba also hit Natore cattle market ahead of Eid-ul-Azha

A unique livestock farm featuring Dumba (fat-tailed sheep) has become a major attraction in Natore’s Gurudaspur upazila ahead of Eid-ul-Azha, drawing visitors and buyers from across the country.

The modern livestock farm, established by two educated brothers—Anwar Hossain and Hannan Sarkar—has grown from just four goats in 1995 into a 32-bigha integrated farm housing more than 200 animals, including cattle, goats, sheep and desert-origin Dumba.

Located in Khamar Pathuria village, the farm is now witnessing a surge of visitors daily as people arrive to see and purchase sacrificial animals, particularly the increasingly popular Dumba.

According to farm owners, the venture began as a small household effort driven by financial hardship but gradually expanded through nearly three decades of struggle, planning and reinvestment.

Hannan Sarkar said the family lost their father at an early age, and the business began with just a few goats. The large-scale farm was formally expanded in 2010. Later, with support from traders, they imported three female and one male Dumba from India, which have now grown into a herd of around 60.

He added that around 36 Dumba have been prepared for sale ahead of Eid, with prices ranging from Tk 100,000 to Tk 300,000 depending on size and weight. Buyers from different districts have already started visiting the farm, many accompanied by families.

Farm officials said interest in Dumba as sacrificial animals has grown significantly in recent years. Last year, around 80 Dumba were sold collectively from their farm and nearby breeders, and this year the number could exceed 200.

The farm currently employs 23 workers, most of them local youths. Workers said the farm has become an important source of livelihood for the area, especially during the Eid season when demand and workload increase.

Farmers also cultivate improved grass on around 6.5 bighas of land to ensure a steady supply of natural feed. Animals are fed fresh grass, husk and bran under controlled conditions.

Beyond their own farm, the owners are also encouraging young people in the area to engage in livestock farming, contributing to a growing rural entrepreneurship trend in Gurudaspur.

District Livestock Officer Dr. Md. Selim Uddin said Dumba are traditionally desert animals but are now adapting well to Bangladesh’s climate. He noted that large-scale Dumba farming in Gurudaspur is creating new economic opportunities, with the department providing technical support to farmers.

According to the District Livestock Office, Natore has prepared over 475,000 sacrificial animals across 21,374 farms this year, nearly double the local demand, with surplus animals expected to be supplied to Dhaka and other districts.