Lerato Matheka

Donor-Funded Agriculture Projects Uplift Lesotho’s Rural Economy

…Over M550 million grants and loans mobilised in the last three years Agriculture remains the heartbeat of Lesotho’s rural economy, and while government allocations provide foundational support, it is externally funded agricultural projects that are driving most of the sector’s meaningful transformation. The Consolidated Budget Report for 2025/2026 reveals that over M400 million worth of…

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Agriculture’s M10.6 million Revenue Footprint in Lesotho

In the previous financial year the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security, and Nutrition projects to generate over M10.6 million in direct revenues. This was revealed by the 2025/2026 Consolidated Budget Report which recorded a growing recognition of the Agriculture sector’s potential to generate meaningful income through value chain development, livestock trade, and exports, strengthening the…

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Tracking Lesotho’s Agricultural Growth

…Farmers accessing subsidised seeds and fertilizers increased by 15 The agricultural sector in Lesotho is on a cautious yet promising path of transformation, as shown in the 2025/2026 Consolidated Budget Report. Despite persisting structural and climatic challenges, several initiatives have recorded measurable progress — from increased land under cultivation to revived investments in irrigation and…

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Mohale’s Hoek Vegetable Farmers Reap Big with Best Practices

Mohale’s Hoek is a district often associated with subsistence farming and unpredictable weather patterns, but a quiet agricultural revolution is underway. Vegetable farmers in Mohale’s Hoek, under the guidance of the Lesotho National Farmers Union (LENAFU), are transforming their operations using Best Management Practices (BMPs), and the results are inspiring. A case study conducted by…

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Lesotho Removed from Hunger Hotspot List, but FAO Warns of Worsening Regional Crisis

By Lerato Matheka According to the latest Hunger Hotspots: FAO-WFP Early Warnings on Acute Food Insecurity report released last week, Lesotho has been officially removed from the list of countries experiencing acute food insecurity. Lesotho now joins Angola, Kenya, Namibia, and Uganda, which have also shown signs of improvement after previously being identified in warnings….

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Closing the Divide: Why Transformation Must Start with Farmers

At the heart of South Africa’s agricultural transformation lies a question that continues to stir debate: Can organised agriculture truly bridge the historical and structural gap for black farmers? At the recent Food For Mzansi’s Young Farmers Indaba, held at the Lavender Kontrei Market in Pretoria, agricultural leaders, policymakers, and young farmers came together to…

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Restoring Land and Transforming Agriculture: The Impact of ROLL on Basotho Farmers

Lesotho’s agricultural sector is undergoing a significant transformation as farmers adopt agroecology skills and land restoration techniques to combat environmental degradation and enhance productivity. With years of overgrazing, soil erosion, and climate change negatively impacting the country’s food production, initiatives like the Regeneration of Landscapes and Livelihoods (ROLL) project are playing a crucial role in…

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Lesotho’s Nutrition Dialogues: A Call to Action for Food Security and Equity

Lesotho’s battle against malnutrition is not a new fight, but recent Nutrition Dialogues have reignited the urgency to tackle food insecurity in the country. The dialogues, launched by World Vision International (WVI) and the 4SD Foundation, have provided a powerful platform for stakeholders—from farmers to policymakers—to discuss the root causes of hunger and malnutrition. At…

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Lesotho Faces Growing Food and Water Crisis: Climate Report Calls for Urgent Action

…Subjected to annual loss of over US$57,000 due to deteriorating agricultural land Lesotho’s agriculture and water sectors are under severe threat from climate change, according to the recently published Technology Needs Assessment (TNA) for Climate Change Adaptation in Agriculture and Water report. The report, which assesses the country’s vulnerabilities and proposes technological interventions, warns of…

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Lesotho’s Climate Change Policy: A Plan That Must Not Be Forgotten

OP-ED As the world grapples with the growing threats of climate change, Lesotho finds itself on the frontlines of a crisis that is disrupting agriculture, depleting water resources, and threatening livelihoods. With unpredictable rainfall, prolonged droughts, and rising temperatures, it is clear that the impact of climate change is no longer a distant threat—it is…

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