…as Seahlolo Unveils Ambitious Vision for Agriculture
By Topollo Tlali and Lungile Maseela
What began as a platform for bringing farmers together to exchange ideas has grown into one of Lesotho’s most ambitious agricultural initiatives.
This year, the Farmers Pitso Agricultural & Excellence Awards enter a new chapter under the stewardship of Seahlolo Newspaper, with organisers promising a broader platform that goes beyond r
ecognising outstanding farmers to inspiring innovation, strengthening agricultural education and positioning agriculture at the centre of Lesotho’s economic transformation.
Launched in Maseru under the theme “Celebrating Excellence. Advancing Agriculture. Transforming Lives,” the 2026 edition marks the beginning of a three-year management partnership between Farmers Pitso and Seahlolo Newspaper. It also introduces several firsts in the awards’ history, including a two-day programme that combines school competitions, agricultural exhibitions, knowledge-sharing sessions, and the prestigious and exclusive black-tie His Majesty King Letsie’s Honour Awards gala.
The launch attracted development partners, agricultural organisations, educators, farmers and members of the media, reflecting growing national interest in an initiative that organisers believe has evolved beyond an awards ceremony.
Speaking at the launch, Farmers Pitso co-founder Tlaba Mochebelele reflected on the organisation’s journey and the decision to entrust Seahlolo with leading its next phase.
He explained that Farmers Pitso was built around three pillars: bringing farmers together through “lipitso” for discussion and knowledge exchange, exposing farmers to new ideas through field visits and exhibitions, and recognising excellence through annual awards.
“This year, Seahlolo has brought all three principles together into one programme,” Mochebelele said.
“There will be learning, exhibitions, knowledge exchange and the awards themselves.”
He said the decision to hand over management was driven by confidence in Seahlolo’s long-standing commitment to agriculture.
“We trusted Seahlolo to take the awards to the next level. They have supported Farmers Pitso for many years and have consistently demonstrated that agriculture deserves to be celebrated.”
One of the most significant additions this year will be a dedicated schools programme, building on Seahlolo’s previous support for agricultural education through school competitions.
For Project Director of the Farmers Pitso Agricultural & Excellence Awards and Managing Director of Newsday Media, Lerato Matheka, the 2026 launch represents far more than preparations for another annual ceremony.
“We are gathered here today not simply to announce an awards ceremony. We are launching a national movement that seeks to recognise excellence, celebrate innovation, inspire productivity and elevate agriculture to its rightful position as the engine of economic transformation in Lesotho,” she said
She explained that the awards are founded on a simple conviction: that those who feed the nation deserve to be recognised by the nation they feed.
Every day, she noted, Basotho farmers rise before dawn to contend with drought, hailstorms, livestock diseases and uncertain markets, yet continue to produce food, create employment and sustain rural livelihoods.
“Through these awards, we want to tell a different story, one that places farmers at the heart of national development.”
Matheka traced Seahlolo’s own agricultural journey back to four years ago, when the publication was still in its infancy.
Invited to sponsor a category at the Farmers Pitso Awards, Seahlolo chose to support the Broiler Farmer category, not because it had abundant resources, she said, but because she believed agriculture deserved champions.
That commitment later expanded to include support for school agriculture competitions and a range of farmer-centred development initiatives.
“Those early investments were not sponsorships,” Matheka said. “They were statements of intent. They reflected our belief that agriculture must be celebrated, supported and elevated.”
Today, she said, the Farmers Pitso Agricultural & Excellence Awards represent the natural progression of that commitment.
“The awards are not an isolated event. They are the culmination of years of investment in farmers, food systems and rural development.”
Looking beyond this year’s event, Matheka outlined an ambitious vision for the 2026–2028 period: establishing the country’s most influential agricultural recognition platform while demonstrating how the private sector can actively contribute to agricultural development.
“Instead of relying solely on government, these awards show how private organisations can pool resources, create opportunities, celebrate success and attract investment.”
She challenged financial institutions, businesses, development agencies, schools and communities to view agriculture as everyone’s responsibility.
“Agriculture is not merely about production. Agriculture is about education. Agriculture is about health. Agriculture is about dignity. Agriculture is about opportunity. Agriculture is about nation-building.”
Her remarks echoed a broader philosophy that has shaped Seahlolo since its establishment, that journalism should not simply report development but actively contribute to it.
“We want your story,” she told farmers. “Allow your journey to inspire others.”
The launch also highlighted the growing emphasis on nurturing the next generation of agricultural leaders.
Secretary-General of the Lesotho Agricultural Teachers Association, Tsotang Pela, described agricultural education as one of the country’s most important long-term investments.
While agriculture continues to underpin rural livelihoods and national food security, he warned that climate change, declining soil fertility, land degradation and youth unemployment threaten the sector’s future.
“The most powerful response lies in strengthening agricultural education,” Pela said.
He argued that agricultural studies should be firmly embedded within the education system, equipping learners with scientific knowledge, practical skills and entrepreneurial thinking needed for modern farming.
“If we introduce young people to agriculture early, we will build a generation that values food production and sees farming as a profession of opportunity rather than necessity.”
International partners also welcomed the initiative.
Acting Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Lesotho, Sean Lawlor, said the awards recognise qualities essential to every successful agricultural nation.
“The Farmers Pitso Awards celebrate something profound, the ingenuity, resilience and hard work of Basotho farmers,” Lawlor said.
“We want to see Lesotho’s farmers not only feeding families, but feeding the nation and competing confidently in regional and international markets.”
The expanded programme will begin on 11 September with school competitions, agricultural exhibitions and knowledge-sharing activities before culminating on 12 September with a day ceremony honouring outstanding farmers across the country and a Black-Tie gala dinner.