Farmers in Sudan’s North Darfur have called for greater protection of their crops as livestock move towards farming areas amid worsening drought and shortages of grazing land.
Farmers in Khazan Tunjur, in Tawila locality, told local Sudanese media that livestock had entered fields east of Masal camp, around the Kanjara area.
They fear that further movement of livestock into cultivated areas could damage crops and worsen an already difficult agricultural season.
Sudan farmers raise concerns over crops
One farmer said increasing numbers of armed herders had arrived near cultivated areas.
The farmer warned that livestock could damage large sections of farmland if the situation continues.
The Sudan Liberation Movement led by Abdel Wahid Mohamed Nur controls the area and has forces stationed nearby.
However, farmers said the existing presence was not enough to protect cultivated land. They called on the movement to send additional personnel to the area.
The Sudan Times could not independently verify the farmers’ accounts.
Drought puts pressure on farmers and herders
The dispute comes amid difficult environmental conditions in parts of North Darfur.
According to the farmers, poor rainfall has dried out grazing areas around Tabit and Kolgi.
As a result, herders have moved with their livestock towards Khazan Tunjur in search of pasture.
This has increased pressure on land also being used by farmers.
Another farmer warned that further crop losses could seriously affect the agricultural season.
Food and livestock concerns grow
Local Sudanese media have also reported severe drought conditions across parts of Tawila and Dar es Salaam localities.
Erratic rainfall has affected crops and reduced available grazing land.
Therefore, the conditions pose risks to both farming communities and livestock owners.
Further crop losses could increase pressure on local food supplies. Meanwhile, a lack of pasture could also threaten livestock.
Farmers are now calling for measures to protect cultivated areas and prevent further damage as communities contend with the effects of poor rainfall.