• The Minister said it will lead to the production of more food supplies from the same fields.

With decisions in place to change the farming system in Lesotho, the Minister of Agriculture, Food Security, and Nutrition, Mr. Thabo Mofosi has urged farmers to plant more wheat for plowing. 

During the press conference held at the Ministry’s premises in Maseru, the Minister said this while addressing the media, and said they will produce more food supplies from the same fields this year as they will conduct a soil survey and change the way they have been handling the land.

In order to boost agricultural output, he claimed, they will assist farmers by teaching them how to use agricultural equipment. He added that the ministry will host an expo at Kolonyama in the Leribe area.

He continued by saying that machinery experts will be hired during the exhibition to instruct farmers on how to use various types of machinery during the planting and harvesting seasons. He noted that this was being done because the ministry had observed that farmers did not know how to use the agricultural equipment, which is why the produce from agriculture was sometimes unsuccessful.

Regarding food storage, Mr. Mofosi stated that they had discussions with Lesotho Flour Mills and that farmers in the district of Maseru will use their facility while waiting to sell their produce. Farmers in other districts will use the Disaster Management Authority (DMA) storages, and it has been made sure that each district will have a harvesting combine, he added.

The Minister stated that they anticipate planting wheat on 5400 hectares, producing 3 tans per person, and harvesting 16200 tans.

He stated that farmers will be able to purchase fertilizers at the same prices as last year for winter plowing because they are already in their storage facilities.

However, the Minister added that they are still awaiting the banks’ reaction and that they have recommended soft loans from the banks for farmers.

He concluded by urging Basotho to increase their agricultural spending because it is a safe investment for the county’s economic development.