News
Lesotho Restricts Imports of Eggs, Cabbage, and Potatoes to Boost Local Agriculture
The Government, through the Agriculture Ministry, has announced restrictions on the importation of eggs, cabbage, and potatoes. The directive, communicated by the Minister of Gender, Youth and Social Development, Hon. Pitso Lesaoana, on behalf of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Nutrition, is expected to bolster domestic production and improve market access for local…
Grassroots Innovation Heals Lesotho’s Eroded Landscapes
What began as a birthday gathering in November 2019, on the degraded hills of Boqate, sparked a movement that is now transforming Lesotho’s most eroded landscapes. From that dusty day emerged the Re Kata Mangope Foundation, a home-grown effort to reclaim land scarred by deep gullies, known locally as mangope. In Lesotho, mangope—or dongas—are more…
Climate Change and Agriculture: An Emerging Threat to Health, Gender Equity and Youth Prosperity
By Thoboloko Ntšonyane In the face of escalating climate shifts, Lesotho’s rural and farming communities are experiencing far more than erratic weather patterns and poor harvests. Climate change is now deeply entangled with the country’s sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), particularly impacting women, youth, and smallholder farmers. This link between climate and SRHR…
Hope or Illusion? Lesotho’s Exit from Food Insecurity Hotspot Shadowed by Southern Africa’s Hunger Crisis
…46.3 million people across SADC to face food insecurity Just over a month after Lesotho was removed from the list of countries identified as food insecurity hotspots by global agencies, a new regional assessment has revealed a concerning and contradictory reality: hunger in Southern Africa is worsening, and Lesotho remains far from immune. According to…
Climate Crisis Comes at a High Price: Lesotho Warned
Lesotho faces a staggering financial burden of over US$2.5 billion to deal with the harsh effects of climate change—a cost the country simply cannot afford to ignore. This warning was delivered by Teke Ramotubei, Director of the Lesotho Meteorological Services (LMS), at a national climate action event where leaders, scientists, and development partners gathered to…
Lesotho on High Alert as Ministry Sets Up Rapid Response Committees to Guard Against Animal Disease Outbreaks
By Molula Mofosi & Thoboloko Ntšonyane The Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Nutrition has taken decisive steps to strengthen Lesotho’s preparedness for agricultural outbreaks by establishing Rapid Response Committees at national, district, and local levels. The move comes as neighbouring South Africa battles a severe outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) with 270…
Ministry’s Youth Job Pledge Takes Shape with 1,000 Young Farmers
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Nutrition made headlines with a bold commitment to unlock 28,870 jobs for Basotho youth through the second phase of the Smallholder Agriculture Development Project (SADP II). That promise has now begun to take root through the Youth Mentorship Programme, which was officially launched on 21 July 2025. At…
King Letsie III and International Delegates Celebrate Agricultural Innovation
His Majesty King Letsie III, accompanied by international delegates from the World Food Programme (WFP), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), attended the highly anticipated Agricultural Market Show held on August 5th in Masianokeng. The event, organised by the Ministry of Agriculture, as part of Food Month…
Mystery Beast Slaughters Farmer’s Flock, M21, 000 Lost
A mysterious predator has devastated a livestock farmer in Thabakhubelu, killing 14 sheep in a single morning and sparking fear across the rural community of Mphoko Lumaluma, in the Mohale’s Hoek District. The victim, Mashapha Lethoko, estimates the loss at M21, 000 based on his usual sale price of M1, 500 per sheep. “I have…
Meraka Insurance Brings Hope to Lesotho’s Livestock Farmers
By Seabata Mahao From stock theft to disease outbreaks, the loss of even a single animal can be devastating to Basotho farmers who rears sheep and goat. Recognising the series of vulnerabilities in the livestock sector of agriculture, Alliance Insurance Group introduced Meraka Cover, a dedicated livestock insurance product designed to safeguard the livelihoods of…
Wool & Mohair Export Permits Go Digital
From 1 September, all import and export permit applications for animal products and fibre will be processed by the Lesotho National Single Window (LNSW), this was revealed during a recent stakeholder meeting on 29 May 2025. The digital permit system, introduced by the Government of Lesotho with funding from CAFI, aims to eliminate the paper-based…