The ongoing cattle fair at APMC yard of Torvi village is driving huge crowed of buyers and sellers every day from various parts of the North Karnataka region including the bordering districts of Maharashtra.
The annual event, organised during Makar Sankranti festival when the annual Jatra (fair) of Siddeshwara temple is held, is aimed at facilitating the buyers and sellers to their business at one place.
Though the cattle fair officially commenced from January 14, however, people had started coming with their cattle from January 11 itself in order to identify a suitable place in the 110-acre land for their animals.
While business is going on, on a brisk note, the organisers have arranged for 24/7 medical treatment for the cattle by deploying the veterinarians at the fair to prevent spreading of any disease.
The Department of Animal Husbandry has deployed about 12 staff members to provide treatment to the animals during the fair.
Meanwhile, one of the major attractions of the fair is the presence of ‘Kilari’ breed of bulls which are in high demand for their sturdy looks and enormous power to work in fields. The cost of each bull of this breed starts at Rs. 2 lakh and could go up to Rs. 3 lakh based on the growth and physical appearance of the animal.
The organisers claimed that so far, nearly a thousand ‘Kilari’ bulls are being sold to the buyers of both Karnataka and Maharashtra.
On the one hand, cattle buying and selling is taking place while on the other the vendors who sell decorative items for cattle are making brisk business.
They are selling around 25 types of objects that includes colourful belts to tie around the neck of the cattle, bronze bells and ropes that are generally purchased by the cattle owners.
According to the organisers, they expect at least one lakh farmers to visit the fair during the event which would last till January 20.
