A new locally developed digital platform could transform the way Basotho farmers access agricultural advice by bringing extension officers just a click away.
Developed by three Lerotholi Polytechnic students, Lemoha AI is designed to bridge the long-standing communication gap between farmers and extension officers by providing instant access to technical guidance, production support and market information through a single mobile platform.
The application enables farmers to consult extension officers remotely, receive advice tailored to their crops and farming conditions, and upload photographs or videos of crop problems for quicker diagnosis and recommendations. The innovation is expected to complement Lesotho’s extension services, where limited personnel often struggle to reach farmers spread across the country’s remote communities.
Co-founder Seeiso Moiloa said the idea behind Lemoha AI was to make agricultural support more accessible to every farmer.
“The idea behind Lemoha AI is to support small-scale farmers with practical advice that fits their specific conditions.”
He said the platform allows extension officers to engage with farmers remotely while providing production guidance throughout the farming season.
“Within the app, there is also a section where extension officers can connect with farmers and provide services from the comfort of their homes.”
Beyond improving communication, the developers say the platform helps farmers make better production decisions, strengthen quality management and prepare their produce for formal markets.
Co-founder Polumo Tlebere said many Basotho farmers have the capacity to produce but often lack continuous technical support to consistently meet market standards.
“Extension officers cannot be everywhere at once to monitor every farmer. Lemoha AI is meant to complement this gap by helping farmers identify problems early and maintain quality throughout the production process.”
The application also encourages farmers to think beyond production and focus on supplying quality produce that meets both local and international market requirements.
To make the platform more accessible, the developers incorporated picture and video upload features, enabling farmers to report crop problems visually instead of relying solely on written descriptions.
“We wanted the app to be inclusive for farmers who may struggle to explain crop problems in words,” said co-founder Mosebatho Kolobe.
Entrepreneurship lecturer Chakela Thaba described the innovation as a timely response to the growing challenges facing agriculture, particularly as climate change continues to disrupt farming.
He said Lerotholi Polytechnic is working with government ministries to protect the students’ innovation and explore opportunities for its adoption.
The developers have also called on the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Nutrition to partner with them by integrating the platform into existing extension services.
Lemoha AI was developed during an 18-month innovation programme at Lerotholi Polytechnic in partnership with Unico Create and Black Wolf. The programme produced three digital solutions addressing entrepreneurship, education and agriculture.
As Lesotho looks to modernise its agricultural sector, Lemoha AI offers a home-grown solution that could make expert agricultural advice more accessible, helping farmers respond more quickly to production challenges and improve their competitiveness.