Qacha’s Nek, Sept. 15 — The Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Nutrition (MAFSN) reports that sales of agricultural inputs are running smoothly, even though farmers are slow to buy.
In an interview with the Agency, MAFSN District Crop Production Officer (DCPO) Mrs. Mampai Mokone said that white and yellow maize, sugar beans (Nua45) and fertilizers have been available in the district for months.
Fertilizers arrived on June 2 and seeds were delivered on July 16, 2025.
“Farmers are buying slowly, considering how long these inputs have been here. Many say they don’t have money yet,” she explained. “Compared to last year, the rate of buying is about the same, but since demand was high even before the inputs arrived, I expected sales to be faster,” she said.
She noted that farmers usually wait until closer to the end of planting season to buy. “They wait for rain. Even last year, inputs arrived on time, but farmers didn’t buy immediately. Now, many may still be waiting because of the drought,” she added.
While sales of most inputs are running smoothly, she said vegetable seeds are still unavailable. “Vegetable seeds remain out of stock at the ministry’s warehouse,” she said.
She encouraged farmers to collaborate so they can be issued requisition letters to buy these seeds from Maseru.
Local farmer Mr. Thuso Mosuhli expressed frustration over the delays. “I wanted to plant potatoes, beetroot, and carrots, but these seeds have not arrived. Every day I go to the storeroom hoping they will be available. I’ve already bought fertilizers that I don’t know when I’ll be able to use,” he said.
Mr. Mosuhli warned that late seed arrivals could lead to delayed planting and poor harvests. “Last year, I had already planted by this time. This year, planting is delayed, and history might repeat itself with crops suffering from too much water if it rains,” he said. . .
Ends/MAPM
