Farmers Pitso agricultural awards promise hoopla and honour

Barely three months away, the Farmers Pitso Agricultural and Excellence Awards have promised a grand celebration of innovation, resilience and excellence among Basotho farmers.

Addressing the media earlier this week, Project Director of the Farmers Pitso Excellence Awards and Newsday Managing Director Lerato Matheka – whose publication also produces Seahlolo Newspaper – said the awards will celebrate the critical role the farmers play in feeding the nation.

“Today marks a defining moment in the evolution of agriculture in Lesotho. We are gathered here not simply to announce an awards ceremony, but to launch a national movement that seeks to recognise excellence, celebrate innovation, inspire productivity and elevate agriculture to its rightful position as the engine of economic transformation in Lesotho,” Matheka said.

“The Farmers Pitso Agricultural & Excellence Awards 2026 are founded on a simple but powerful belief: that those who feed the nation deserve to be celebrated by the nation.”

Matheka highlighted the daily struggles of farmers, noting they “rise before dawn, who endure droughts, hailstorms, livestock diseases and market uncertainty, yet persist in producing food, creating jobs and sustaining livelihoods.”

She added that for too long excellence in farming has gone unrecognised. Through these awards, “we aim to tell a different story, one that places farmers at the heart of national development.”

Matheka recounted how Seahlolo began its journey four years ago when the newspaper was barely two months old.

“We were a young publication with limited resources but an unwavering belief in the power of agriculture,” she said. Invited to sponsor a category at an agricultural awards event, they chose the Broiler Farmer category. “We did not do so because we were wealthy. We did so because we believed agriculture deserved champions.”

Two years later, they expanded their support by sponsoring schools participating in agricultural activities. “Those early investments were not sponsorships. They were statements of intent. They reflected our conviction that agriculture must be celebrated, supported and elevated,” Matheka said.

“Today, that journey has matured into the Farmers Pitso Agricultural & Excellence Awards. The awards are therefore not an isolated event. They are the culmination of years of commitment to farmers, food systems and rural development.”

The vision for the awards from 2026 to 2028 is to build the most influential agricultural recognition platform in the Kingdom of Lesotho. Matheka said the initiative comes as Lesotho shifts towards a private-sector-led economy.

“Instead of relying solely on the government, [these awards show] how private organisations can pool resources, create opportunities, celebrate success and attract investment,” she explained.

She emphasised that agriculture must be prioritised “not just in government boardrooms but by banks, businesses, development agencies, schools, communities and households.”

Matheka also linked the awards to the leadership of King Letsie III, who has long championed food security and sustainable agriculture. Referencing the King’s speech in Kenya earlier this year, she quoted him saying: “A child who goes to school on an empty stomach is not just hungry for food, but also hungry for opportunity.”

Matheka added: “Agriculture is not merely about production. Agriculture is about education. Agriculture is about health. Agriculture is about dignity. Agriculture is about opportunity. Agriculture is about nation building.”

She stressed that Seahlolo Newspaper has always seen its role as more than just reporting. “We have always believed that journalism must actively contribute to development.”

The awards, she said, belong to all farmers and stakeholders in the sector. “We want your story. Allow your journey to inspire others.”

“Together, let us make excellence visible. Together, let us make agriculture aspirational. Together, let us make Lesotho food secure, nutrition secure and economically stronger. Those who feed the nation deserve to be celebrated by the nation that they feed,” Matheka declared.

The two-day event begins on 11 September with a focus on schools, students, agricultural exhibitions and knowledge-sharing. The main awards ceremony and prestigious black-tie gala dinner will take place on 12 September, honouring outstanding Basotho farmers across various categories.

Tlaba Mochebelele of the Farmers Pitso Trust Foundation and co-founder of the awards commended Seahlolo for its support. “Seahlolo has been by our side, waking us up and dusting us off,” he said.

Describing the handover, Mochebelele said the team decided Seahlolo should “carry the baton and introduce new innovations,” particularly as it sponsors the schools category. “We handed over the baton to this publication because we did not want to drop the ball and felt it had the capacity to take the awards to the next level.”

He praised the participation of schools, saying it fosters a love of agriculture among learners. The Farmers Pitso team operates under three pillars: lipitso (public gatherings), field trips, exhibitions and awards.

Secretary-General of the Lesotho Agricultural Teachers Association, Tsotang Pela, described agriculture as the backbone of communities but noted current challenges including climate change, declining soil fertility, soil degradation, youth unemployment and waning interest in farming among young people.

“These challenges demand innovative and sustainable solutions. And one of the most powerful solutions lies in strengthening agricultural education,” Pela said. “Agricultural education equips learners with practical skills, scientific knowledge, and entrepreneurial abilities essential for modern farming.”

Acting Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy, Sean Lawlor, said the United States is supporting Basotho farmers with expertise, precision farming technology and market access.

“The United States has a strong agricultural tradition that has no doubt ensured its survival for almost 250 years. We understand how important farming is,” Lawlor said.

“The Farmer’s Pitso Awards that will be held in September will celebrate something profound: the ingenuity, resilience and hard work of Basotho farmers. We want to see Lesotho farmers not just feeding families but feeding their nation, competing in regional and global markets.”

Thoboloko Ntšonyane

Thoboloko Ntšonyane is a dedicated journalist who has contributed to various publications. He focuses on parliament, climate change, human rights, sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR), health, business and court reports. His work inspires change, triggers dialogue and also promote transparency in a society.