KACRAN seeks  peaceful coexistence between herders, farmers ahead of farming season

The Kulen Allah Cattle Rearers Association of Nigeria (KACRAN) has appealed to herders and farmers across the country to protect farmlands, respect grazing reserves, and preserve designated cattle routes as the 2026/2027 farming season begins.

In a statement signed by its National President, Hon Khalil Mohd Bello, the association said the appeal became necessary in view of Nigeria’s prevailing economic and security challenges, many of which have been worsened by recurring farmer-herder conflicts.

KACRAN reaffirmed its commitment to promoting peace, unity, food security, and national development, stressing that harmonious relations between pastoralists and farming communities remain critical to the nation’s agricultural future.

The association urged herders nationwide to avoid destroying farmlands during grazing activities or seasonal migration, noting that protecting crops was essential to safeguarding the country’s food supply. It also called on farmers to refrain from encroaching on designated grazing reserves or obstructing recognized cattle routes during land clearing and cultivation, emphasizing that open routes are vital for peaceful pastoral movement.

According to KACRAN, Nigeria is currently grappling with multiple security challenges that consume enormous public resources that could otherwise be directed toward development. The association noted that insecurity has disrupted crop production, livestock farming, and fisheries, displaced millions of citizens, and rendered vast agricultural lands inaccessible.

It further observed that rising fuel prices following subsidy removal, coupled with global economic pressures, have significantly increased the cost of agricultural production, making it imperative to protect farmlands and prevent avoidable losses.

Describing herders and farmers as partners in national development, KACRAN said sustainable peace could only be achieved when both groups operate within the confines of the law and demonstrate mutual respect and understanding.

The association warned that farm destruction undermines peaceful coexistence and threatens food security, while encroachment on grazing reserves and blockage of cattle routes often lead to avoidable conflicts and public disorder.

Citing projections by the , KACRAN noted that millions of Nigerians could face food insecurity by 2027 if agricultural productivity is not protected. It therefore urged all stakeholders, including farmers, herders, and government authorities, to work together to prevent actions that could reduce food production.

The association also appealed to federal and state governments to provide farmers with affordable access to tractors, harvesters, fertilizers, insecticides, and other essential agricultural inputs through subsidy programmes.

In addition, KACRAN called for the reclamation, demarcation, and revitalization of grazing reserves and cattle routes nationwide, alongside the provision of water points and animal feed support to pastoralists.

The group commended , Governor of , for reducing tractor hiring costs from ₦100,000 to ₦50,000 per day and for initiatives aimed at reclaiming grazing reserves, expanding water infrastructure, and establishing new reserves in livestock-producing areas.

KACRAN also expressed appreciation to coordinators at both national and state levels for their interventions in Yobe State, particularly the conversion of pastoralists’ boreholes to solar-powered systems and the construction of additional water facilities.

KACRAN concluded by expressing confidence that Nigeria’s agricultural future could be secured through unity, peace, and shared responsibility among all stakeholders in the sector.