Herders threaten farmers, livestock destroys crops in North Darfur

Militant herders in Kabkabiya locality, North Darfur, have put farmers before the choice to pay a part of their yields to them, or to immediately stop tending their farmlands. In neighbouring Kutum locality, livestock released by force on farmlands destroyed large quantities of crops.

Speaking to Radio Dabanga, a farmer reported from Shawa that the herders told them, “in particular those in the areas of Shoba, Jarrab, and Shawa”, that any farmer who wishes to cultivate his land, has to pay at least one third of his harvested crops, as “rent” for the land.  

He explained that the land was originally owned by the farmers. “But the herders, armed by the government, forcibly evicted us.”

The farmer called upon the North Darfur authorities to protect them, and enable them to cultivate their land.

Huge losses

Farmers in the western part of Kutum lost most of their crops when herders released their camels and cattle on farmlands, orchards, and vegetable gardens in the area of Naro, Abu Shouk, and Rotaba during the past few days.

“Large quantities of melons, tomatoes, radishes, okra, cress, and onions, as well as mangos, oranges, lemons, and grapefruit were destroyed,” an affected farmer said. “The losses are estimated at tens of thousands of pounds.

He appealed to the North Darfur authorities to protect their lands from further herders’ attacks.