Herders should respect farmlands

Several sources have confirmed that the cattle that had been previously withdrawn from the Acholi and Madi areas of Pageri, Magwi County, Eastern Equatoria State, have started coming back to the area.

Some of the herders were seen coming back to post-Mangat, an area between Eastern Equatoria and Central Equatoria states. During the dry season, the cattle herders often pretend to move out of the area as they drive their cattle towards Lobonok. However, when the dry season ends, they return to the area exactly at the time when the farmers are starting to prepare their land for the new season.

There is a need for the leaders to ensure that those cattle keepers are kept away from the farming community because farming and the rearing of animals are two different activities that could make it impossible for the farmers and pastoralists to peacefully coexist.

Several resolutions have been reached between the farmers and pastoralists in different dialogues, but those agreements have done very little to stop the herders from grazing their animals on the farmland.

Last year, communities in Magwi County and cattle keepers signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the withdrawal of animals, but the cattle keepers reportedly violated the MoU.  The farming season has already begun and people have started preparing their land for the new season that should not be interrupted by the cattle. Some people still have their own crops in gardens that need to be harvested, and the crops may not be collected if cattle are allowed to graze on them. 

It is not right for a hard-working community to always experience hunger simply because their crops are destroyed by animals, or they fail to cultivate because they have been discouraged by the presence of cattle in the area. We all know there are several causes of hunger, but it should not happen due to the animals’ activities.

Already, the governor of Eastern Equatoria State, Louis Lobong, has raised concern over the looming hunger in the state, particularly in Lafon and Kapoeta East counties. While the causes of hunger in those areas might not be related to cattle activities, it is important to ensure that the area that receives a good amount of rainfall concentrates on farming to supply the affected areas. If cattle did not interfere with the farming in the Acholi and Madi areas, food from these areas could be supplied to counties like Ikotos, Torit, Budi, and Kapoeta.

However, it is not only Magwi County but also Kajo Keji and Lainy counties in Central Equatoria State had been experiencing similar problems.  The authorities need to address the issues once and for all to give the farming communities a chance to prepare their land for the new season.