The Kulen Allah Cattle Rearers Association of Nigeria (KACRAN) has called on farmers and herders across the country to respect farmlands, grazing reserves and designated cattle routes as the 2026/2027 farming season begins, warning that renewed conflicts could worsen food insecurity, economic hardship and insecurity.
In a statement issued by its National President, Khalil Mohammed Bello, the association urged pastoralists to avoid the destruction of crops during grazing and seasonal migration, while advising farmers against encroaching on designated grazing reserves or obstructing recognised cattle routes.
KACRAN said the appeal was necessary in view of Nigeria’s prevailing economic challenges, security concerns and the urgent need to boost agricultural production to ensure food availability and affordability for millions of citizens.
According to the association, persistent insecurity across several parts of the country continues to divert substantial public resources that could otherwise be invested in infrastructure, agriculture and social development.
The group noted that banditry, kidnapping, communal violence and other security challenges have disrupted farming, livestock production and fisheries, forcing many rural residents to abandon their communities and leaving vast areas of agricultural land uncultivated.
It further observed that rising fuel prices, inflation and increasing costs of agricultural inputs have placed additional pressure on farmers and livestock owners, making it imperative to protect both farmlands and grazing areas from avoidable destruction.
“Herders and farmers are partners in progress,” the association stated, stressing that lasting peace can only be achieved through mutual respect, adherence to the law and a commitment to peaceful coexistence.
The appeal comes amid longstanding tensions between farmers and pastoralists in several parts of Nigeria, particularly in the North-Central region and parts of the North-West, where disputes over land use have frequently resulted in violence and displacement.
Historically, pastoralists moved livestock along established grazing routes stretching from northern Nigeria to central and southern regions. However, population growth, urban expansion, agricultural development and environmental degradation have significantly reduced available grazing lands.
Climate change and desertification in northern Nigeria have further intensified pressure on land resources, compelling many herders to move farther south in search of water and pasture.
As agricultural activities expanded into traditional grazing corridors, disputes over land use became more frequent, often leading to cycles of violence triggered by crop destruction, cattle trespass and retaliatory attacks.
Security experts have consistently identified farmer-herder conflicts as one of Nigeria’s most enduring internal security challenges, with significant humanitarian and economic consequences.
Agricultural stakeholders have also warned that recurring clashes continue to undermine food production. Communities affected by violence often abandon farms during critical planting and harvesting periods, while livestock owners suffer losses through theft, attacks and displacement.
The disruption of agricultural activities has contributed to supply chain challenges, higher transportation costs and rising food inflation, further increasing the cost of living for many Nigerians.
KACRAN noted that various international projections indicate that millions of Nigerians could face food insecurity in the coming years if adequate measures are not taken to safeguard agricultural production and rural livelihoods.
On the issue of grazing reserves and cattle routes, the association maintained that restoring and clearly demarcating existing reserves and stock routes would help reduce tensions between farmers and pastoralists while enhancing livestock productivity.
The group urged federal and state governments to support agricultural development through the provision of affordable tractors, harvesters, fertilisers, insecticides and other essential inputs.
It also called for the rehabilitation of grazing reserves, improved water infrastructure and support for animal feed production to strengthen pastoral livelihoods.
KACRAN commended Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni for initiatives aimed at supporting agriculture and livestock development, including the reduction of tractor hiring costs and efforts to reclaim grazing reserves and improve access to water resources.
The association also praised the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project for providing solar-powered boreholes and water facilities to pastoral communities.
Experts have increasingly advocated integrated solutions to address the root causes of farmer-herder conflicts, including the expansion of ranching systems, improved land-use planning, enhanced access to water resources, community dialogue mechanisms and early-warning systems for conflict prevention.
KACRAN stressed that the success of the 2026/2027 farming season would depend largely on cooperation between farmers and herders, supported by government policies and investments that promote peaceful coexistence and sustainable agricultural development.
The association concluded that protecting both farmlands and grazing resources remains critical to boosting agricultural productivity, strengthening food security and supporting Nigeria’s broader economic recovery efforts.
