Botha-Bothe, May 07 — His Majesty King Letsie III has emphasised the importance of proper nutrition from pregnancy through childhood development, urging communities to grow their own food to support healthy living and reduce illness.
The King said this during an exhibition event held at Ha Patala and Bokoro primary schools in Khukhune, where he toured climate-smart gardens established by nutrition clubs and schools.
He said children who consume nutritious food are less likely to frequently visit health facilities due to sickness.
“I am motivated to see people, school children and communities working together to produce nutritious food. I am happy that people understand that nutrition is everyone’s responsibility, and this makes it easier for me to represent the country as a Champion of Nutrition in the African Union and the Food and Agriculture Organisation,” said the King.
Minister of Agriculture, Food Security and Nutrition Mr. Selibe Mochoboroane said visits on nutrition-related issues have so far been conducted in nine districts across the country.
He said efforts to strengthen agriculture in Lesotho should include the production of local seeds and seedlings.
Mr. Mochoboroane also commended nutrition clubs for supporting children attending monthly clinic visits as well as elderly people within communities.
“I have heard that nutrition clubs once helped save the life of a child suffering from malnutrition by coming together and providing food assistance to the family to ensure the child recovered. I am also pleased to see that nutrition clubs include Village Health Workers,” he said.
He noted that Botha-Bothe remains one of the districts facing challenges of malnutrition, stunting and tuberculosis.
Speaking on behalf of the Principal Chief, Chief Mamanamolela Mopeli said agriculture was once the backbone of Lesotho’s economy, but the country now relies heavily on food donations from other nations.
She said creating markets for farmers would encourage increased production and enable Lesotho to export produce to other countries.
A member of Parliament for Hololo Constituency Mr. Lejone Mpotjoane told the King that Khukhune has fertile soil suitable for agricultural production, as demonstrated by the achievements of nutrition clubs in the Tsime area, which have been winning competitions since 2024.
He said nutrition clubs have embraced the national call to promote proper nutrition in villages across Lesotho.
“I have had the opportunity to hear the King addressing the international community, emphasising that good nutrition is not an expense but an investment for a country. He also highlighted that a stunted child represents a stunted future, as those children will become future leaders,” he said.
Mr. Mpotjoane further said nutrition clubs in the district compete through agricultural production initiatives aimed at improving community development, expressing hope that such competitions could eventually expand to national and international level.
He added that districts should establish market aggregation centres to improve farmers’ access to buyers and markets.
The Minister of Local Government and Chieftainship Affairs and other dignitaries also attended the event.
Ends/ ML/BM
