For many ram sellers in Kwara State, the present economic situation in the country has seriously affected their businesses.
For some of the sellers, who temporarily halted their trade and other vocations to go into the ram selling business for profit, it has been a double tragedy of sort as they are living between hope and fear of the unknown because of biting economic situation that was worsened by the raging insecurity in the country.
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Although some of the traders, who traditionally keep rams and cattle to sell during the Eid-el-Kabir (Sallah) period expressed joy that most of their rams and cattle survived, the inflation and economic hardship in the country had seriously limited sales. They however hoped that things will improve before the period runs out.
A trip to most ram markets in Mandate, Adeta Roundabout, Asa-Dam/Irewolede junction and Zango among other areas around the Ilorin metropolis showed that although rams, cows and other sacrificial animals were available, patronage was low.
Speaking with North Central Trust, a seller at Mandate market, Abdulrazaq Alago lamented the situation adding that “I am a wrist watch seller originally but because of the economic situation in the country, I tried to take advantage of this period to engage in ram selling.”
He told our reporter that the prices of rams this year are expectedly higher than last year because of the twin issue of biting inflation and economic hardship which have been compounded with raging insecurity that has negatively impacted the business.
“The prices of rams differ. What was around N25,000 to N30,000 is now between N40,000 and N50,000. Some ram dealers in the north have lost their animals to the insurgency and were forced to import from neighboring Niger and Chad.
According to him, the federal government’s intervention in the area of livestock has not really been felt as expected and called for more intervention in the area of insecurity and the economy.
Also, another seller, Abdulhafiz Abdulkareem who also lamented the low patronage but said he expects increased patronage as the festival draws nearer.
“In comparative terms, this year’s price is higher and patronage is correspondingly low. But we are hopeful that things will improve as we go along.
“Previous years, you can get a ram that is averagely okay for between N25,000 to N30,000. But now, that same range goes from N35,000 to N45,000. We also have that of N60, 000, N80, 000 and even N150,000 depending on customer’s preferences.
Some of the buyers who spoke with our correspondent said the low patronage is not surprising because of the present economic hardship in the country.
“I have moved round the Zango ram market in circles for close to one hour and I am yet to get the size of the ram of my pocket.
“Things are so difficult this year and the bitter reality is that you are not sure that it will come down. But because of the religious significance and the quest to observe the injunction of Almighty Allah to slaughter for our own benefit, we may have no choice than to try and get ram even though it is not compulsory.
“I had to settle for a small ram after I discovered my choice and pocket are at variance because of the high price, a buyer Mr Abdulkareem Abdulkareem, said.
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