MASERU – Farmers have been urged to act now by adjusting planting times, improving water management and adopting climate-smart practices ahead of an anticipated El Niño event that carries a 100 percent chance of occurring this season.
These were words alluded at the Agribusiness Drought Proofing Stakeholder Forum in Maseru on Wednesday by Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) representative Mr. Mokitinyane Nthimo who said the expected reduction in rainfall would affect both crop production and livestock.
“Timing is everything,” Mr. Nthimo said. “Farmers should not wait until drought conditions are already affecting their operations.”
He said farmers must identify appropriate planting windows and select seed varieties based on reliable climate information. Drought management, he added, is directly linked to water management.
“We cannot manage drought if we do not manage water,” he said. “We must improve soil moisture retention, harvest water for dry periods, and invest in irrigation as climatic conditions change.”
Mr. Nthimo also called for local and indigenous knowledge to be combined with scientific data to make early warnings more relevant to communities. He warned that grazing land and water resources were already under pressure, and questioned whether adequate plans were in place to harvest and store water before sources run dry.
He further stressed that healthy soils and the connection between water, energy and food security must be prioritized to build resilience.
At the same event the Standard Lesotho Bank Chief Executive Officer Mr. Samuel Seboka said collaboration between farmers, government, development partners and financial institutions was essential to withstand climate shocks.
“Farmers need information that is not only available, but understandable and useful,” Mr. Seboka said. “Forecasts should not just be received as information, but translated into practical action.”
He also highlighted the role of crop insurance in helping farmers manage losses from adverse weather.
Meanwhile , weather forecaster and spokesperson of Lesotho Meteorological Services, Mr. Rammolenyane Lethaha said a major gap remains in communicating climate information to farmers. To address this, LMS is developing a weather application that will translate technical data into understandable information while incorporating indigenous knowledge.
Mr. Lethaha explained that El Niño involves changes in Pacific Ocean temperatures and can lead to reduced rainfall and higher temperatures. The November to April period is critical for Lesotho.
“Current assessments show a 100 percent probability of El Niño,” he said. “The event could be strong but relatively short-lived, with a possible shift back to La Niña by February. August will be key for improving rainfall projections for the coming season.”
He mentioned that El Niño events are classified as weak, moderate, strong or very strong.
Stakeholders were urged to use forecasts and early warnings to make timely decisions on planting, seed selection, water conservation, irrigation, soil management and livestock preparedness.
The forum forms part of efforts to strengthen resilience in Lesotho’s agricultural sector against climate variability and potential drought.
Ends/TS
