Mohale’s Hoek, April 17 — The Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Nutrition through the Department of Agricultural Research, (DAR) has held consultations with relevant stakeholders aimed at re-organizing the National Agricultural Research System, (NARS).
An officer from the NARS Selebalo Ramakhanna stated that among services provided by the department in collaboration with the National University of Lesotho (NUL), is to generate, adapt and transfer agricultural technologies and scientific knowledge.
Mr. Ramakhanna noted that through the Department of Agricultural Research, the Ministry is implementing a project called Agricultural Productivity Programme for Southern Africa (APPSA) aimed at contributing to the long term, sustainable research, collaboration and exchanges between SADC Member state.
However, stakeholders who articulated that planning should be influenced by research, expressed their dissatisfaction about the department noting it is not putting enough effort to sensitize farmers on its services, therefore hindering food production.
