Mohale’s Hoek, Aug. 14 — The Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Nutrition, through the Departments of Nutrition and Home Economics, has conducted a five-day Training of Trainers (TOT) for Area Technical Officers (ATOs) from eight Resource Centres.
The training aimed to equip the ATOs with skills in producing yoghurt and pine gel, as well as sewing bed covers.
District Nutrition Officer, Mrs. ’Mahlompho Mabaso, said the training followed a similar session held for Nutrition Officers from all districts at Haba-Bosiu in June.
She said the ATOs are expected to pass the knowledge and skills gained to farmers at their respective Resource Centres, noting that some farmers have more knowledge than officers in certain areas.
Mrs. Mabaso said the income-generating activities are intended to help the officers generate income while contributing to efforts to address food insecurity in their homes and communities.
Phamong ATO, Mrs ’Mampai Masilo, welcomed the initiative, saying she plans to approach nutrition clubs around the Centre to share the skills she acquired so that members can also generate income.
She said they were also trained to make paper mace ornaments and vases using juice extracted from prickly pears.
One of the facilitators, Mr. Tebelo Ramabotsane from Motse-Mocha, who trained the ATOs in producing pine gel, commended the Departments of Nutrition and Home Economics for empowering women to improve their livelihoods.
He said ATOs were the fifth group he had trained, adding that he had previously travelled to Leribe, where he was invited by a political party to train young people in income-generating activities.
However, Ramabotsane said his business was facing challenges, including the rising cost of chemicals which he imports from South Africa.
He also expressed concern that some Basotho prefer products from neighbouring countries instead of buying locally produced goods.
Ramabotsane said he had realised that his business could perform better if he sold chemicals in bulk and produced pine gel only on order.
Ends/MAMO
