Horticulture hub heralds new era of emerging fruit industry

Mamello Rakotsoane

Lesotho has taken a significant step towards strengthening its agricultural sector with the launch of the Lesotho Horticulture Incubation and Training Centre, an initiative expected to boost the country’s fruit industry while creating jobs and improving farmers’ incomes.

The launch brought together government officials, development partners, academics, farmers and students to witness the unveiling of the centre, which aims to strengthen the horticulture value chain through training, research and improved market access.

Speaking at the event, the Vice Chancellor of the National University of Lesotho, Professor Olusola Isaac Fajana, described the development as a milestone for both the university and the country’s agricultural sector.

Fajana explained that the facility, located in Mahobong, was previously used by the Institute of Extra Mural Studies for distance learning programmes before being taken over by the university’s Faculty of Agriculture as an outreach centre.

However, the building remained largely underutilised until March 2022 when the Competitiveness and Financial Inclusion Project (CAFI) approached the university to lease the property. The university then worked with the Ministry of Trade and other partners to transform the facility into a horticulture incubation and training hub.

“This facility represents far more than infrastructure. It symbolises a transformative investment in the future of our fruit industry, our farmers and the agricultural economy of our country,” Fajana said.

He added that the centre is strategically linked to a fully operational packhouse located near orchards, which will help farmers improve post-harvest handling. The university has already trained more than 180 farmers in fruit production, orchard management and post-harvest handling.

“Our lecturers remain available to provide continued training whenever required, and we will continue refining our training models to ensure they remain aligned with global best practices,” he said.

The centre will also serve as a practical learning site for students studying horticulture and crop science.

World Bank representative Dinara Djoldosheva said the launch marks a new chapter for horticulture development and private sector growth in Lesotho, highlighting the importance of partnerships between government, development organisations and the private sector.

“This initiative is not only about planting orchards. It is about building an ecosystem that connects farmer training, research, post-harvest handling and access to markets,” she said.

She revealed that 190 farmers, including women and youth, have already been trained, while 76 fruit farms have been established with nearly 60,000 seedlings planted. These investments have created around 250 jobs, particularly in rural areas.

“When this advantage is combined with quality production, reliable logistics and proper infrastructure, it can translate into better prices, higher incomes and more jobs for Basotho,” she said.

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative Jacqueline Olweya said the centre also received funding from the India-Brazil-South Africa Fund (IBSA), which contributed about US$950,000 (approximately M15.5 million).

Part of the funding was used to purchase fruit-sorting machines from China worth about US$200,000 (around M3 million), increasing processing capacity from half a tonne of apples per hour to two tonnes per hour.

“This technological improvement increases efficiency while ensuring accurate packaging and maintaining quality standards required by international markets,” she said.

Olweya added that 190 farmers have completed pre-incubation training, while 80 have undergone advanced horticultural training. Nine farmers have already entered full incubation, leading to the establishment of seven new commercial orchards.

She also highlighted the formation of the Horticulture Association of Lesotho to strengthen coordination among farmers and improve competitiveness in regional and international markets.

Speaking at the event, Constance Seoposengwe said the initiative comes at a critical time when countries in the Global South must strengthen food production and economic independence.

“This project speaks directly to our aspiration as African nations to produce enough food for ourselves and create economic opportunities for our people,” she said.

Nthomeng Majara noted that the training centre represents a new chapter for Lesotho’s horticulture sector, urging farmers and youth to view agriculture as a modern business driven by innovation and entrepreneurship.

“Through this centre, farmers, youth and agripreneurs will gain the knowledge and technical skills required to improve productivity and integrate into modern supply chains,” she said.

Delivering the keynote address, His Majesty King Letsie III said the centre will serve as an engine of entrepreneurship by providing business incubation and technical training.

“The success of this initiative depends on a strong ecosystem that connects farmers, research institutions, businesses and markets,” he said.

Stakeholders expressed optimism that the centre will help build a competitive fruit industry in Lesotho while creating employment opportunities and strengthening rural livelihoods.

Newsday

Your Trusted Source for News and Insights in Lesotho!
At Newsday Media, we are passionate about delivering accurate, timely, and engaging news and multimedia content to our diverse audience. Founded with the vision of revolutionizing the media landscape in Lesotho, we have grown into a leading hybrid media company that blends traditional journalism with innovative digital platforms.