Berea, June 01 — The Ministry of Environment and Forestry in Berea held a community meeting in Sebetia on Monday to prepare for the commemoration of the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists and the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), which will be observed on June 17 under the theme: ‘Rangelands: recognize, respect and restore’.
Speaking during the meeting, District Coordinator Mr. Tankiso Letšopha said the main objective was to plan the celebration together with community members.
He said residents are expected to prepare traditional Basotho meals such as wheat, sorghum, beans, and other locally produced foods during the event.
He further stated that the theme includes traditional blankets, gumboots, overalls, and other attire that reflect and honor the pastoral lifestyle and the contributions of herders to rural livelihoods.
Meanwhile, Ms. Tholoana Masupha urged Sebetia residents to bring handmade products to the event to promote and market their businesses and skills.
One of the residents, Mr. Lepekola Mokhohlane, whose fields are located near a hill that was initially affected by poor land management practices such as failure to conserve soil and vegetation, said he had previously stopped cultivating crops because much of the fertile soil had been washed away, leaving behind rocky land unsuitable for farming.
Mr. Mokhohlane said restoration and conservation efforts implemented in the area have helped restore the soil, enabling them to resume farming and increase crop production.
The celebration is expected to benefit residents by creating opportunities to sell their products and access soil testing services, which will help determine the crops best suited to their land and improve agricultural productivity.
Ends/MTM/tl
