MASERU — Knowledge sharing among farmers is key to improving food production and nutrition in Lesotho, Minister of Agriculture, Food Security and Nutrition Selibe Mochoboroane has said.
Mr. Mochoboroane outlined lack of knowledge as one of the major challenges contributing to inadequate food production, indicating that most farmers go to the field without sufficient knowledge and skills about proper farming practices.
He was speaking during a knowledge-sharing initiative aimed at strengthening grain production in Lesotho at Farmers Pitso Awards in Maseru on Thursday.
Mr. Mochoboroane said Lesotho used to perform well in agricultural production at international level, but farmers may not have had enough knowledge at the time. The difference, he said, was that the soil was still naturally fertile.
He emphasised that knowledge sharing is very important and people need to attend skills presentations. Experts should visit farmers in their fields and assess their production, he said, allowing them to give advice based on actual farming conditions.
This approach would ensure farmers receive practical advice responding to their specific needs. Mr. Mochoboroane also highlighted the importance of proper mechanisation, saying it must be introduced correctly to improve production.
He warned that poor planning of aggregation centres could affect agricultural production. The knowledge-sharing programme should not end with the farmers who receive training, he said.
Mr. Mochoboroane said training even 300 farmers properly could have a wider impact if those farmers shared what they had learned with others.
He said he has been a farmer for many years and understands the importance of making the right choices throughout the farming process, selecting the right seed, using the right fertiliser and providing proper care until harvest.
Mr. Mochoboroane called for increased investment in agricultural knowledge and the introduction of more programmes focused on knowledge sharing, saying such programmes should start now and continue to strengthen farmers’ skills and improve food production.
The remarks were made during the Farmers Pitso Agricultural Excellence Awards 2026, which includes a Grain and Horticulture Knowledge Exchange under the theme, “From Field to the Market”. The event brings together farmers and other agricultural stakeholders to share knowledge on improving production and linking farmers to markets.
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