A dealer, Sani Musa, told our reporter that during the scarcity of naira notes, cows were sold at give-away prices.

He said a cow sold for N120,000 during the period is now N240,000.

Musa explained that cattle markets operate on cash and carry basis and the naira crunch seriously affected the cattle business in the state.

He also said there were about twelve cattle markets in the state and they include that of Tella, Marraban Baissa, Bantaje, Garba-Chede, Jatau, Nguroje and Mayo Ndaga.

Other markets are Maraban Kunini, Jamtare, Maihula, Sansanin Bali, Kungana and Iware.

Another cattle dealer, Dauda Yakubu, said between 4,000 and 5,000 cattle are sold on every market day.

He however said during the period of cash crunch, only about 1500 cows were sold on market days in Iware.

“Fulani herdsmen who bring about 90 per cent of the total cattle sold in the market refused to accept bank transfer because they do not have bank accounts.

“Similarly, majority of those who buy cattle in the market do not have cash to pay for the cows they buy and that seriously affected business transaction in the market,” he said.

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Source: Daily Trust