MACBAN claims toxic crops killing cattle, raising fresh farmer-herder concerns

The latest warning by the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) over the increasing use of agrochemicals on farmlands has once again exposed the deepening crisis between crop farmers and pastoralists, raising fresh questions over land rights, open grazing, livestock management and food security.

MACBAN recently appealed to farmers across the country to stop applying what it described as poisonous chemicals and pesticides on cultivated fields, alleging that several cattle have died after grazing on crops treated with toxic substances.

According to the association, the deaths of livestock are not only inflicting heavy financial losses on cattle owners but also increasing the likelihood of violent confrontations between herders and farming communities already strained by years of disputes over land use.

The association cited incidents in which cattle allegedly consumed chemically treated vegetation on farmlands and died shortly afterwards. It urged both parties to embrace dialogue, warning that continued use of highly toxic substances could worsen tensions in rural communities.

However, the appeal has triggered a sharp backlash from crop farmers and agricultural stakeholders, many of whom argue that the issue extends far beyond chemical application.

Farmers Defend Their Practices

For many farmers, pesticides, herbicides and other agrochemicals are indispensable tools used to protect crops from insects, rodents, weeds and diseases. They insist that these chemicals are applied primarily to safeguard investments rather than to target grazing livestock.

Several farmers interviewed by local associations argue that the recurring destruction of farms by roaming cattle has forced many communities to intensify crop protection measures.

“Farmers spend months cultivating their land and invest heavily in seeds, fertilizers and labour,” said one farmer in the North-Central region. “When cattle invade and destroy the crops, nobody compensates us.”

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Many insist that cultivated farmland is private property and should not serve as grazing grounds.

A Question of Responsibility

Agricultural experts note that modern farming practices worldwide involve the use of regulated pesticides and herbicides, provided they are applied according to approved safety standards.

They argue that responsibility also lies with livestock owners to prevent cattle from straying into cultivated fields where chemical applications are common.

“Cattle are naturally grazers of grasses and pasture,” an agricultural extension specialist explained. “Allowing livestock to feed indiscriminately on cultivated farms exposes them to numerous risks, including chemical residues.”

Experts further note that many pesticides carry withdrawal periods before crops become safe for human consumption or animal feeding, making unrestricted grazing particularly hazardous.

Legal and Policy Questions

The controversy has also reignited debate over Nigeria’s long-standing farmer-herder crisis.

Several states have enacted anti-open grazing laws, requiring livestock owners to adopt ranching or controlled grazing systems. Supporters argue such policies reduce conflicts, protect farmlands and improve livestock productivity.

Opponents, however, contend that inadequate grazing reserves and limited government investment in ranching continue to frustrate pastoral communities.

Legal analysts observe that where anti-open grazing laws exist, livestock owners whose cattle enter cultivated farms may bear responsibility for resulting damages, while farmers are generally entitled to protect their crops using approved agricultural methods.

Rising Economic Stakes

Both farmers and herders are facing mounting economic pressures.

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Nigeria’s farmers are grappling with rising production costs, climate-related challenges and food insecurity, while pastoralists continue to struggle with shrinking grazing routes, insecurity and environmental degradation.

The destruction of either crops or livestock translates into severe financial losses, threatening livelihoods on both sides.

Analysts warn that unless government authorities accelerate the implementation of sustainable grazing policies, expand ranching infrastructure and strengthen mediation mechanisms, disputes over farmland and grazing rights may continue to escalate.

The dispute over chemically treated farms reflects a broader challenge confronting Nigeria’s agricultural sector: balancing crop production with livestock management in an increasingly contested rural landscape.

While MACBAN maintains that excessive chemical use endangers cattle and fuels conflict, many farmers counter that the fundamental issue is the continued grazing of livestock on cultivated land without permission.

Agricultural policy experts argue that lasting peace will require clear enforcement of land-use regulations, responsible application of agrochemicals, improved livestock management practices and stronger collaboration between farming and pastoral communities.

Ultimately, they say, preventing cattle from entering cultivated farms may prove more effective than asking farmers to abandon practices designed to protect the very crops on which their livelihoods depend.