Farmland extension impacts Sudan’s natural grazing routes

Herders in White Nile and Sennar states are complaining about the extension of farms onto lands meant as pastures.

“The growing use of land for agricultural purposes has a negative impact on the natural grazing routes,” Makkawi Mustafa Abu Talib, Minister of Livestock of White Nile state, said in a press statement in Rabak on Thursday.

He announced that the White Nile authorities have formed a committee that will monitor the existing pastures’ tracks, and develop new pastures projects.

The Minister further reported that the livestock in the region is free from epidemic diseases, and lauded the work of the veterinary staff in the 28 fixed and mobile health centres in the state.

Earlier this year, livestock owners in White Nile state complained about the spread of diseases, in particular a pox-like disease among their animals.

Sennar

A number of herdsmen in Sennar in eastern Sudan complain about the farmers’ encroachment on their grazing lands. “The growing shortage of pastures is leading to more cases of friction between herders and farmers. After each scuffle, we are chased by the police,” a herder reported to this station.

He appealed to the local authorities “to protect the pastures’ tracks, and provide services to us and our livestock”.