News

Lesotho’s livestock sector is under renewed threat after an outbreak of African Horse Sickness (AHS) claimed the lives of 67 horses, raising urgent concerns over disease control, animal movement and the country’s overall biosecurity readiness. The outbreak, confirmed by Minister of Agriculture, Food Security and Nutrition Thabo Mofosi in Parliament this week, has already spread…

…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…

Lungile Maseela The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has announced a nationwide action plan to contain an outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), which has so far infected more than 10 cattle across Lesotho. Speaking at a recent press conference, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Thabo Mofosi, said the country had not…

… 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…

Chairperson of the Social Cluster Portfolio Committee, who also serves as the Chair of Chairpersons in Parliament, Mokhothu Makhalanyane, has called on the government to stop procuring farming inputs. Makhalanyane, the Member of Parliament for Mokhethoaneng Constituency No. 27, made the remarks during the Committee of Supply debate on the 2026/2027 Estimates of Expenditure from…

… LNDC refutes this, claiming the facility is merely relocating … Ministry of Agriculture is unaware of either closure or relocation Barely five years into operations, Maluti Fresh Produce Market is reportedly facing closure, a decision that is likely to directly affect local fresh-produce farmers. According to insider information obtained by this reporter, the Lesotho…

Ha Qamo, a village in Peka, Leribe, has taken decisive action against the spread of Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) following a large-scale vaccination campaign launched on March 18, 2026. The initiative, spearheaded by local entrepreneur and Member of Parliament (MP) for Peka Constituency, Mohopoli Monokoanane, vaccinated over 200 cattle on the first day, with plans…

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….

Stakeholders from Lesotho’s agriculture sector, including government officials, development partners and private sector representatives, met in Maseru on March 26 this year to explore the introduction of crop insurance as a tool to protect smallholder farmers from climate-related losses. The meeting, convened by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Nutrition in collaboration with the…