Maseru, Feb. 22 — The process of identifying and getting suitable markets for the locally produced Basotho products in the farming sector is an issue which has been ignored for the longest time and calls for sound decisions when handling it.
This was said by the Minister of Agriculture, Food Security and Nutrition, Mr. Thabo Mofosi while also stating that the ministry has plans in the pipeline to seek a market for Basotho farmers.
Speaking in an interview with the Agency on Thursday, Mr. Mofosi said that the ministry will on the first week of March hold a meeting which is expected to bring together farmers and producers as well as retail stores and restaurant owners as to find out from them the amount of demand that they are each expecting from farmers so that they could be supplied from locally.
He said that with this initiative the government is coming up with strategies of identifying reliable markets for producers and farmers as they hold potential when well guided.
Mr. Mofosi mentioned that to ensure that Basotho farmers are high end producers and suppliers, the ministry will ensure that they are equipped with the necessary technical skills to help improve their productions.
Meanwhile, Mr. Mofosi stated that the late procurement process within his ministries has been identified as one of the major issues setbacks in the supply of agricultural equipment to Basotho farmers saying that it is an issue that needs to be attended to to avoid late seasonal farming like in the previous years.
He also advised the nation to consider going into contract farming as it has been identified as one of the measures which can contribute massively in the food security, improvement of the country’s economy as well as creation of jobs.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Nutrition was identified by the Prime Minister Mr. Ntsokoane Matekane as a priority ministry towards the sustainability of food security, the growth of the country’s economy as well as job creations especially for youth.
In the 2024/2025 budget speech presentation which was done by the Minister of Finance and Development Planning Dr. Rets’elisitsoe Matlanyane on Wednesday, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Nutrition has been assigned a budget of M1.3 billion.
