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…

A sharp rise in fuel prices has sparked concern over Lesotho’s food security, with former Prime Minister Dr Moeketsi Majoro warning that the ongoing Iran–Israel conflict could threaten future harvests. “The US elects its president in 2024, and he takes office in January 2025. In just over a year, missiles rain down on the Middle…

… Marks Milestone in Smart Farming Rain Farm celebrated a remarkable journey with the Second Smallholder Agriculture Development Project (SADP II) at Ha Makhalanyane with ululations, songs, poems, and smiles. The event brought together the Makhalanyane community, Sekete Primary students, and farmers from across Lesotho, marking the achievements of Rasekoala’s farming venture. “I grew up…

Lesotho Dairy Products temporarily suspended milk collection in March this year to carry out essential maintenance at its processing plant, leaving many farmers with surplus milk and nowhere to sell it. The halt, which ran until 1 April, was necessary to repair the plant’s Cleaning-in-Place (CIP) system and fix machinery faults affecting milk handling quality….

Farmers, bankers, and project officials convened in Mohale’s Hoek for an open discussion on the implementation of the Smallholder Agricultural Development Project Phase II (SADP II) Matching Grants Programme, tackling long-standing challenges that have hindered progress and delayed benefits for beneficiaries. The two-day meeting, organised by SADP II, aimed to identify operational bottlenecks in the…