Leribe, Sept. 11 — With the purpose of introducing Home Grown School Feeding Program (HGSF) as a pilot project, World Food Programme in partnership with Ministry of Education and Training is sensitizing stakeholders at the one day meeting held at Hlotse in Leribe on Thursday.
The HGSF is to be piloted in the districts of Leribe, Maseru, Semonkong,Berea starting starting from February 2026.
Speaking to the stakeholders, Ministry of Education and Training, School Self Reliance Food Unit (SSRFU) Coordinator Mr. Jubille Ntloana said the aim of the meeting is for the stakeholders to contribute towards urging farmers to support with supply of vegetables in Early Childhood Care and Development Centre (ECCDs).
He reminded that school feeding is governed by the National School Feeding Policy (NSFP) 2015, which was reviewed in 2024.
Additionally, Mr. Ntloana said the aim is to provide nutritious meals to public primary school learners while supporting smallholder farmers and local food production.
He indicated that national coverage comprise of feeding 1,419 public primary schools comprising of about 274,921 learners on daily basis.
Referring to Home Grown School Feeding (HGSF), he said it is aimed to improve child nutrition and health to support learning and development.
Secondly he elaborated that it is aimed to increase school enrolment, attendance and retention, especially among vulnerable learners and provide a stable market for local farmers enhancing rural incomes and agricultural productivity.
