For decades, Basotho farmers have faced immense challenges that continue to threaten the country’s agricultural productivity.
From declining soil fertility, erratic rainfall, and limited arable land to labour shortages due to migration and the effects of poverty and food security has remained elusive for many households.
But, there is a home-grown solution that has been quietly transforming lives — the Machobane Farming System (MFS).
A System Born from Basotho Wisdom
Developed in the 1950s by Dr. Joseph J. Machobane, the system, known locally as Mantsa Tlala (the expeller of hunger), blends traditional Basotho farming knowledge with scientific principles.
This low-cost, high-impact approach focuses on intercropping, organic fertilisation, and year-round farming, offering a way for even the smallest-scale farmers to maximize their land.
Since its re-introduction in the 1990s, more than 5,500 farmers across Lesotho have adopted MFS, tripling their productivity compared to conventional mono-cropping.
How MFS Works
Unlike traditional mono-cropping, where fields often lie idle post-harvest, MFS promotes continuous cropping.
In lowland areas, farmers plant winter-resilient crops—wheat, peas, and potatoes—between April and May, harvesting them between January and March. In summer, they intercrop maize, beans, pumpkins, and groundnuts, ensuring a year-round supply of food and income.
It encourages the use of organic fertilisation using ash and manure improves soil fertility while enhancing resilience against drought and pests. Livestock plays a dual role, providing manure and serving as a source of milk, eggs, and meat.
Why the Machobane Farming System Works
- Year-Round Food Production
Unlike traditional farming, where fields often lie fallow after harvest, MFS encourages continuous cropping. In the lowlands, farmers plant winter-resilient crops like wheat, peas, and potatoes between April and May, which are harvested from January to March. During summer, fields are intercropped with maize, beans, pumpkins, sorghum, and groundnuts, harvested in late November and December. This approach ensures food availability throughout the year.
- Soil Health Through Organic Fertilisation
The system relies on readily available resources — farmyard manure and ash — to replenish soil nutrients. Ash improves soil pH and adds potassium, while manure enhances soil structure and provides essential nutrients. Farmers are encouraged to keep at least one animal for manure production, which also supports the household with milk, eggs, or meat.
- Drought Resilience
Intercropping and relay cropping — planting different crops together or one after another — create a natural living mulch, helping to retain soil moisture and reduce erosion. This makes MFS fields more resilient to the unpredictable rainfall patterns that have devastated many farms in recent years.
- Higher Yields, Smaller Land Needs
One of the most transformative aspects of MFS is its impact on land productivity. While traditional mono-cropping requires about 1.2 hectares to feed a family, MFS achieves the same food security on less than half a hectare. Studies show that maize yields increased by 14%, sorghum by 63%, beans by 61%, and potatoes — a cash crop in the system — by an astounding 294% under MFS.
- Nutritional Diversity and Income Generation
By intercropping cereals with legumes and vegetables, families benefit from a diverse, nutrient-rich diet. Legumes fix nitrogen in the soil, improving fertility naturally while also offering protein-rich food. The inclusion of potatoes and groundnuts provides an income stream, helping farmers cover household expenses.
Empowering Farmers, Especially Women
Over half of the farmers practicing MFS are women, many of whom head their households. The system’s reliance on local resources and its emphasis on self-reliance have made it especially accessible to resource-poor families. The farmer-to-farmer training model has been key to spreading MFS across Lesotho, fostering a community of shared knowledge and support.
One of MFS’s greatest strengths lies in its community-centred approach. Farmers pass down knowledge through peer-to-peer training, fostering self-reliance and reducing dependency on external aid. The system’s simplicity—using mostly hand tools or basic ox-drawn equipment—makes it accessible to even the poorest households.
Scaling Up for National Impact
Since the 1990s, more than 5,500 farmers have adopted MFS, covering thousands of hectares across Lesotho. Initiatives like the Sustainable Agricultural Development Programme for the Mountain Areas (SADPMA) and NGOs such as the Serumula Development Association and Rural Self-Help Development Association (RSDA) have played pivotal roles in expanding its reach.
Challenges and Moving Forward
While the benefits of MFS are clear, its adoption isn’t without challenges. Labour demands are higher, especially during planting and weeding seasons, and access to livestock for manure production can be limited. However, with support from government programs and local NGOs like Serumula Development Association and RSDA, more farmers are overcoming these hurdles.
A Call to Action for Basotho Farmers
The success of the Machobane Farming System highlights the power of local solutions in tackling global challenges like food insecurity and climate change. As Lesotho continues to grapple with agricultural sustainability, expanding MFS could play a pivotal role in improving livelihoods, restoring soil health, and strengthening food security.
For more information on the Machobane Farming System, visit the Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa (AFSA).
