News
Fuel Shock Raises Alarm Over Lesotho’s Food Security
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…
Lesotho Activates National Plan to Contain FMD Outbreak
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…
Fruit farming gains ground as CAFI scales up horticulture incubation
Seabata Mahao A new wave of opportunity is opening up for farmers and agribusinesses in Lesotho as the Competitiveness and Financial Inclusion (CAFI) Project rolls out the second cohort of its deciduous fruit horticultural incubation programme. The expansion comes as the Government of Lesotho continues to position agriculture as a key driver of economic growth…
Rain Farm Graduates from SADP II
… 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…
26 Mokhotlong Farmers Graduate from Field School Programme
The Smallholder Agricultural Development Project II (SADP II), in collaboration with the Department of Agricultural Research under the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Nutrition, has awarded certificates to 26 members of the Itjareng Farmers Field School in Mokhotlong after three years of training. The graduation marked a significant milestone, highlighting the farmers’ journey of…
Makhalanyane pushes for policy shift on farming inputs procurement
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…
Maluti Fresh Produce Market faces closure
… 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…
Peka Leads Local Response to Lumpy Skin Disease Outbreak
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…
Dairy Farmers Face Losses During Temporary Milk Collection Suspension
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 Explore Crop Insurance to Protect Lesotho’s Farmers
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…
Farmers, Banks, and SADP II Confront Challenges in the Matching Grants Programme
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…
SMARTD Celebrates World Wetlands Day
The vital ecosystem was at the centre of the 2026 Wetlands Day celebration held in Ha Tlhaku, Quthing district, on February 12, 2025. Hosted by the Southern Mountain Association for Rural Transformation and Development (SMARTD), this year’s theme was “Wetlands and Traditional Knowledge: Celebrating Cultural Heritage.” The importance of wetlands as essential ecosystems providing clean…
