Six months after Lesotho confirmed its first case of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD), the country is still waiting for vaccines, leaving hundreds of livestock farmers without what veterinary officials describe as one of the most important tools needed to contain the disease and protect recovering animals. Although surveillance, movement controls and public awareness campaigns have been…

A new approach in Lesotho’s agriculture is tackling a long-standing problem: the gap between finding plant diseases and treating them effectively and leading this change is Tšepo Masa, who holds a Bachelor of Science in Crop Science. Masa started a plant clinic to improve plant health checks, make pest control more available, and support farmers…

At a gathering dominated by discussions on finance, production, and market access, an unexpected voice shifted the conversation, providing a clarifying reminder that the agricultural sector is not just about supply chains but also about the identity of the food produced. At the Mzansi Young Farmers Indaba in Pretoria, Chef Ska Moteane took to the…

The 5th annual Mzansi Young Farmers Indaba, hosted by Food for Mzansi in Pretoria, brought together hundreds of young farmers from across South Africa and the continent in a powerful show of ambition, resilience and growing influence in the agricultural sector. Held at Choose Life Church, the two-day gathering attracted nearly 2,000 participants, with young…

Risk is a one component that makes agriculture what it is, a constant headache that is often ignored. A single afternoon of heavy snowfall, drought or pest outbreak can erase years of investment, yet for many farmers, agricultural insurance remains out of reach, often viewed not as a necessity but as a luxury. This tension…

…Lesotho’s Agriculture Sector Buckles Under Rising Costs Lesotho’s farmers are no longer just battling droughts and disease; their biggest fight is now at the fuel pump. A steep rise in fuel prices, driven by global tensions in the Middle East, is sending shockwaves through the country’s agricultural sector, raising production costs, squeezing profits, and threatening…

…Lesotho imported over US$9.5 million worth of fertilisers in 2024 For farmers, the cost of war is not measured in headlines, but in inputs. It shows up in the price of fertiliser, in delayed shipments and in the growing uncertainty of whether the next planting season will be viable. The ongoing conflict between Iran and…

…Armed forces mum as politicians continue moving livestock Lesotho’s fight to contain foot-and-mouth disease is being undermined in plain sight. Even as authorities impose strict bans on livestock movement and gatherings, cattle racing competitions continue across parts of the country, organised by popular politicians, raising alarm among officials, farmers and industry stakeholders. The country recently…