Farmers in Wau County seek action over livestock destroying crops

Farmers in Khor Malang of Wau County, Western Bahr el Ghazal State, have appealed to authorities to intervene after livestock repeatedly destroyed their farms, threatening food production and household livelihoods.

The farmers said cattle and other livestock have been roaming freely into cultivated fields, damaging crops that communities have relied on for food and income. They added that the animals are often herded by children or left unattended, making it difficult to identify and engage their owners.

Alberto Zahcariah, a farmer in Khor Malang, said the destruction has become a major concern for residents.

“Currently we have livestock destroying our farms. We do not know as citizens how to address this. We do not have a problem with anyone and we believe everyone is free to herd livestock, but this is destroying our farms,” he said.

The farmers said the continued destruction of crops is discouraging many residents, particularly women, from cultivating their land.

Vernonia Osman said many women have abandoned farming because of the persistent incursions by cattle.

“We started farming from the beginning of the year but cattle destroy our farms. Now women who were farming have left the farms and are staying at home. How do we feed our children and families? It is only through farming,” she said.

The farmers are calling on local authorities and community leaders to regulate livestock movement and establish designated grazing areas away from farmland to prevent further losses.

Diana Dominic urged the government to provide a separate grazing area for pastoralists.

“Here in Khor Malang we are really suffering. Livestock are destroying our farms and we cannot do anything. We want the authorities to find a place far from the farms where they can herd their livestock,” she said.

Earlier this month, the Chairperson of the Standing Specialized Committee on Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Ghada James Killa, called for the establishment of a policy framework to compensate farmers affected by pastoralist movements across the country.

She said such policies would help promote peaceful coexistence between farmers and pastoralists while protecting agricultural livelihoods.

Wau county authorities are yet to comment on the matter.