The fertile land is ready, farmers are willing but many say the engine meant to drive agricultural growth is moving far too slowly to turn potential into prosperity.
Farmers who depend on agriculture for survival and for commercial purposes have raised several concerning questions on how agriculture is handled in Lesotho by the government. Their concerns are centred on income losses.
However, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Mr. Selibe Mochoboroane, says there is need for collaboration and the need to extend improvement with regard to wool and mohair industry and other agricultural sectors to create wealth further.
Responding to questions asked at the Leadership and Accountability Summit on Thursday, he said M900million is collected through wool and mohair industry with 2million sheep each year, adding that there is need also to improve the industry to increase collections.
He stated that farmers should increase the number of sheep and goats for more production.
Mr. Mochoboroane pointed out that if wool and mohair is processed before export it will increase more revenue.
He explained that after FMD was declared an emergency, China and South Africa pressed Lesotho to prove to them that wool and mohair was without Food and mouth Disease (FMD) and Lesotho proved that their product was by then free from the FMD and the protocol was signed for.
He emphasised that Lesotho wool and mohair that is in Port Elizabeth and the one presently harvested is free from FMD at the moment.
Mr. Mochoboroane stated that before the week ends they should get a certificate which allows wool and mohair movement abroad to the markets.
Regarding, the issue of seeds and fertilisers that are always delayed, he assured Basotho that they will arrive timely as compared to previous years.
“We are working towards availing seeds and fertilisers by the 1st August 2026,” he highlighted.
Adding more on that he stated that they are working towards making sure that farmers get fertilisers and sell them at the same price.
He admitted that they need an agricultural fund to assist with issues concerning farming in Lesotho.
A local farmer from Quthing, Mr. Teboho Nkau had earlier raised a concern on when the government will see the need to change the way wool and mohair industry is conducted in Lesotho.
He also inquired from the government as to when the government will improve Tele Bridge due to the fact that they use the boarder to transport wool and mohair.
In the same vein, a local farmer had asked how soon the government would deal with FMD.
She inquired as to when the government will make labs for testing wool and mohair in Lesotho.
Moreover, another local farmer, Mr Thekiso Khati showed a concern on the way seeds and fertilisers are delayed each year, which hinders timely distribution.
Furthermore, Mr Tsikoane Peshoane, stated that Public Financial Management Act, section21(3) gives powers to the Minister of Finance to establish institutions as Road Fund and Petroleum Fund were established.
He recommended the Minister to establish agricultural development fund secretariat to regulate issues of agriculture in the country to ease government burden as the sole regulator.
End/VT
