RAWALPINDI: With Eid approaching, fodder stalls have been set up in nearly every corner of the garrison city to meet the rising demand for feeding sacrificial animals.

Temporary stalls are visible on roadsides, in streets, and in all city markets. Green fodder is brought in daily from nearby villages, while dry fodder and oilseed cake (khal) are also available at these stalls.

During Eidul Azha, many individuals set up these stalls as a way to earn money by meeting the essential need of feeding sacrificial animals. Some vendors buy green fodder from main dealers, while others use fodder-cutting machines installed in homes or shops to cut and sell the fodder.

Most people prefer fresh fodder, which has driven prices up. “It’s a blessing to have fodder available in our locality. Otherwise, going to the main market outside the city is a difficult task,” said Muhammad Ahsan, a resident of Chaklala Scheme-III.

He explained that they mix green fodder with oilseed cake and husk to feed bulls and goats, with a daily requirement of over two kilograms. “We get it fresh from vendors on a daily basis,” he added.

Shahmir Hussain, a resident of Arya Mohallah, noted that while there are usually few fodder shops in the city, the number of stalls increases during Eidul Azha. “The demand rises, and many people set up makeshift shops in the city—but they charge more,” he said.

He stated that daily expenses for fodder range from Rs1,000 to Rs1,200, compared to Rs1,000 lasting two weeks during non-Eid days. He stressed the need for price monitoring.

Some residents complained that many stallholders mix spoiled wheat and chickpea waste with fresh green fodder, which animals refuse to eat, forcing people to buy better fodder from other vendors.

On the other hand, Haji Munir, a stallholder at Bagh Sardaran, said he began selling fodder two weeks before Eidul Azha. “There’s a cattle market nearby, and sellers need food for their animals. It’s a seasonal business, and we earn some extra income,” he said.

He added that green fodder is sourced from villages like Rewat, Fateh Jang, and Chak Beli Khan. Transport costs have gone up, so vendors add a margin. “We provide convenience at people’s doorsteps. Otherwise, they’d have to travel far,” he said.

Muhammad Faisal, a vendor on Lahore High Court Road, said he started collecting dry fodder a month before Eidul Azha due to two nearby cattle markets and strong local demand. “It’s good income, but it’s hard work in hot weather. We also protect the green fodder from heat and rain, which justifies the price,” he explained.

He said they also collect oilseed cake, husk, wheat, chickpeas, and other items to provide quality feed in one place. Machine-cut green fodder is selling at Rs50 per kg, oilseed cake at Rs150 per kg, chickpea husk at Rs200 per kg and straw at Rs200 per kg.

Published in Dawn, June 6th, 2025