Vijayawada: As Sankranti celebrations draw near, the streets of Vijayawada are bustling with activity as farmers set up stalls to sell Asil breed roosters, prized for their use in the traditional cockfights that accompany the festival. Despite their hefty price tags, these roosters are in high demand, drawing buyers from across the state.
Sankranti, known as the harvest festival, holds a deep cultural connection with cockfights, and the sales of Aseel and Peruvian crossbreed roosters are booming in cities like Vijayawada, Nuzvid, Bhimavaram, and Eluru. Farmers specialising in these breeds are reporting brisk business as buyers flock to purchase roosters trained for combat.
In the suburbs of Vijayawada, particularly along the Inner Ring Road, farmers have erected makeshift stalls to sell these roosters, which are priced between ₹6,000 and ₹30,000. Buyers, despite the 30% price hike compared to previous years, are eagerly purchasing these birds, considering cockfights an integral part of Sankranti festivities.
Jatti Nagabushanam, a cockfight enthusiast, expressed his determination to win this year’s competitions. “Last year, our roosters lost. This time, we’re buying high-quality chickens from Nuzvid farmers. Although prices increased, it’s a matter of prestige,” he said.
Farmers breeding and selling these roosters are also reaping the benefits of this growing demand. Pallapu Rattayya, a breeder from Adavinekkalam, noted the sharp rise in buyers compared to last year, despite challenges like viral diseases that reduced rooster supplies. “The demand for Aseel roosters is huge, and buyers are willing to pay high prices,” he said while selling his stock at the Inner Ring Road stalls.
With Sankranti just a week away, the excitement surrounding cockfights is palpable, highlighting the enduring cultural significance of this tradition.
Sankranti, known as the harvest festival, holds a deep cultural connection with cockfights, and the sales of Aseel and Peruvian crossbreed roosters are booming in cities like Vijayawada, Nuzvid, Bhimavaram, and Eluru. Farmers specialising in these breeds are reporting brisk business as buyers flock to purchase roosters trained for combat.
In the suburbs of Vijayawada, particularly along the Inner Ring Road, farmers have erected makeshift stalls to sell these roosters, which are priced between ₹6,000 and ₹30,000. Buyers, despite the 30% price hike compared to previous years, are eagerly purchasing these birds, considering cockfights an integral part of Sankranti festivities.
Jatti Nagabushanam, a cockfight enthusiast, expressed his determination to win this year’s competitions. “Last year, our roosters lost. This time, we’re buying high-quality chickens from Nuzvid farmers. Although prices increased, it’s a matter of prestige,” he said.
Farmers breeding and selling these roosters are also reaping the benefits of this growing demand. Pallapu Rattayya, a breeder from Adavinekkalam, noted the sharp rise in buyers compared to last year, despite challenges like viral diseases that reduced rooster supplies. “The demand for Aseel roosters is huge, and buyers are willing to pay high prices,” he said while selling his stock at the Inner Ring Road stalls.
With Sankranti just a week away, the excitement surrounding cockfights is palpable, highlighting the enduring cultural significance of this tradition.
