Maseru, Dec. 24 — The Minister of Agriculture, Food Security and Nutrition Mr. Thabo Mofosi has pledged to ensure challenges facing the Lesotho Dairy Products (LDP), which include refurbishment of the facility, upgrading of dairy plant and issuance of permits are addressed as soon as possible.
This, he said during his tour at the LDP facility on Wednesday, whose objective was to inspect the milk supply chain in Lesotho.
Mr. Mofosi urged LDP management to draft a clear document which would specify challenges facing the production as well as clarification on effective milk supply chain.
He also pledged to meet with the Lesotho National Dairy Board (LNDB) and other stakeholders to resolve the issue of permits, including tax and levy.
“Lesotho has potential in the dairy business” he stressed, pledging to provide feedback within a month.
LDP Plant Manager Mr. Ts’iu Khoeli said they need urgent intervention regarding the dairy plant upgrade and permits as they are forced to transport milk to Denmar, South Africa for further processing and packaging, indicating that there is shortage of milk at retail stores due to lack of permit.
“We currently have 67 000 litres of milk in our dairy tanks which we might be forced to spill if stored for a long time due to lack of permit,” he added saying LNDB’s terms and conditions regarding permits are difficult to meet.
He also urged the government, through the Ministry, to intervene in provision of public health, training for dairy farmers and coordination.
Meanwhile the dairy plant, which was funded by the government through the Ministry of Finance worth M13 Million and at least M1. 5 Million will be needed for refurbishment of the facility.
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