A marketplace with a difference

Bullocks still form an important part of agriculture and are in much demand in these parts of Orissa despite governmental emphasis on mechanization of farming operation.

8216;Land holding pattern in Jagatsinghpur and Kendrapara districts is not compact and contiguous. Patches of land are small and scattered. As a result,tools like power tillers and tractors are less effective and dependence on bullocks for field-tilling is more pronounced8217;,Arabinda Dhal,an agriculture scientist from centre-run Krishi Vigyan Kendra,said.

8216;Every Monday the weekly cattle market here bustles with roaring business. By all accounts,it is one of the largest cattle markets in the state. It8217;s the most preferred destination for traders from Jagatsinghpur,Kendrapara and adjoining Jajpur districts8217;,Bhabani Shankar Ojha,a Zilla Parishad member said.

8216;As the stage is set for annual rabi crop,business is at its peak in the weekly market. Hundreds of bullocks are up for sale and adds to the hustle and bustle of the weekly market. The cattle market is packed with both traders and buyers. With the new farm season about to begin,farmers are now busy in picking up bullocks of their choice before getting down to toil in fields8217;,Mahendra Singh,a panchayat member said.