Sallah: Gombe sheep, goat sellers decry economic downturn
Chima Azubuike, Gombe
Sheep and Goat Sellers in Gombe state have decried poor sales, following the current economic downturn in the country.
Alh. Yusuf Mohammed, Secretary of the Association at the Tashan Dukku axis said 2020 eid- Kabir sales was better when compared to the present happenings.
According to him, what is realised after each sales is rarely adequate to meet huge family burden.
Mohammed revealed that the least amount to get sizeable sheep is from N50,000 to N220,000.
He said, “Between yesterday and today, the market is moving and people are coming to buy. However, they are buying it at exorbitant prices due to alot of challenges. We just make sales without recovering our expenses.
“There is no much gain to take care of us and our family. Last year, was a bit better because from the sales we can take care of our family members as well as extend support to our neighbours.”
While bemoaning the challenges of cost, Mohammed stressed that the amount used to feed the livestock is cause of the spike in prices.
“The amount used to purchase feed is about N100 and in a day to ensure each animal is well fed, you will need about N1,100 to buy feed. Multiply this amount for 6 months, you will rarely get your gain.
“Many of the people you are seeing here do not have money, last 2 years I had about 7 million naira but it is no more. Not because I play bet or follow women am a family man with 3 wives and 21 children. The cheapest ram here is N50,000 -N220,000,” Mohammed added.
Also speaking, Rabiu Saleh, said sheep and goat market in the past few days has witnessed increase in the cost price, adding that it has affected sales.
He added that, “The increase ranges in sizes and amount moves from N2,000, – N10,000. A ram sold at 30k, if you come tomorrow it will be sold at 50k and that of 60k can move to 90k. There is a possibility that after the Idi prayers the price will go high because people will come to buy.”
