Despite MCC restrictions, cattle shandy at Manapparai registers record sale of sheep and goats

Despite restrictions in carrying cash in view of the model code of conduct (MCC), the shandy for cattle and livestock at Manapparai transacted record sales of sheep ahead of Ramzan.

The two-day cattle shandy at Manapparai, one of the largest markets for cattle in the State, met on Tuesday.. Expecting good business in view of Ramzan, which is celebrated on Saturday, farmers from Tiruchi, Madurai, Dindigul, Sivaganga and Theni districts brought their sheep and goats to the shandy. In a bid to cash in on the huge demand for meat, traders from different parts of the district also thronged in large numbers to buy the animals.

According to sources, the arrival of goats at Manapparai registered a two-fold increase on Wednesday. As against the average arrival of about 5,000 to 6,000 goats and sheep, it was over 10,000 this time. The shandy reportedly transacted about ₹2 crore worth of business, which was about 60% more than the previous instance.

The sources added that though the MCC was in force, there was no bar on people carrying cash up to ₹50,000. The amount was sufficient to buy 10 to 20 goats depending upon the size. It had helped the traders to transact business as usual.

N. Ponnusamy, a cattle trader, said the sale of sheep and goats was better than last week . Most farmers returned home after selling their goats. The festival demand had helped them to sell theit goats at a higher rate.

The price went up by at least 20% compared to last week. A goat weighing about four to five kg, which was quoted for ₹4,500 to ₹5,000 last week, sold for up to ₹5,500 to ₹6,000 due to high demand. The traders said the price would come down to normal levels next week.