Lerato Matheka
Thaba-Tseka District marked August, the designated Food Month, with a vibrance, starting with a health walk, a land cultivation demonstration led by Agriculture Minister Thabo Mofosi and a colourful Market Day celebration, reflecting the district’s resolute commitment to achieving food sufficiency.
The event, held in commemoration of 200 years of Basotho’s existence, showcased the unity and determination of Thaba-Tseka’s people in their fight against hunger.
District Administrator, Tlali Mphafi, set the tone for the day with a powerful declaration and pledging support to Minister Mofosi: “Thaba-Tseka has declared war against hunger, and we are going to use our land to produce food. As your theme states, ‘Breaking the Hunger Cycle,’ we vow to support you as you lead the country out of this food insecurity.”
The District Agriculture Officer (DAO), Makhala Phalatsi, echoed these sentiments, emphasising the district’s achievements in promoting healthy eating and nutrition.
“We are very proud to share that Thaba-Tseka is self-sufficient in food because we have employed a strategy of unity and collaboration with various stakeholders, from schools to organisations involved in different projects within the district,” Phalatsi said.
Phalatsi also highlighted the district’s commitment to maximising the use of its agricultural land. “As the DA said, we are intentional in using our land to increase and improve what we already have. Our main objective as agricultural officers is to ensure that every household has access to nutritious food.”
Ntsoaki Molelekoa of the Rural Self-Development Association (RSDA) expressed her pride in celebrating Thaba-Tseka’s food production independence.
“We are here to showcase the unity of our farmers who produce for the market. We work throughout the country, and Thaba-Tseka is among our beneficiaries,” Molelekoa noted.
Chef Ska Moteane, representing the Slow Food Alliance, shared her enthusiasm for local produce. “We promote eating local, and since yesterday, we have been working with other chefs to cook and celebrate Thaba-Tseka’s rich agricultural heritage.”
The Thaba-Tseka Farmers Forum also played a significant role in the event, with a representative emphasising the importance of collaboration among farmers.
“We are very proud to be part of this August event, which aims to promote sufficient food production. As a forum, we encourage farmers to work together to achieve this goal,” the representative said.
Rethabile Nchee from the Agriculture Research Department introduced new innovations that are set to boost food production in the district.
“We are a department mandated to bring innovative lessons and best practices in food production. We are researching and introducing new seeds like Lebete beans and Lehakoana, which are now widely used by local farmers,” Nchee explained.
She also announced the introduction of a new agricultural product, the sweet potato, under the theme Screen Sweet Potato Lesotho, which she said has been positively received by farmers.
“We don’t just offer soil research; our laboratories allow us to work with and determine which innovations are suitable for Lesotho,” Nchee added.
Monaheng Letooane, a local farmer highlighted the district’s core belief that agriculture is the backbone of their existence.
“We don’t want to depend on donations because we are more than capable of working. We urge the Ministry of Agriculture to consider our planting seasons and ensure timely delivery of fertilisers and seeds. These inputs are crucial for our summer cropping, and delays affect our production,” Letooane stressed.
Senior Inspector Bohlale Lephoto, from the Thaba-Tseka Police Station raised concerns about the prevalence of stock theft in the district, calling for collaboration between the community and law enforcement.
“Stock theft is the most prevalent crime in this district, and we need your cooperation as owners, men, and women, to assist the police in controlling this situation,” Lephoto urged.
Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Thabo Mofosi who toured the different stalls of local farmers and made inquiries to understand the diversity of the district’s food production expressed his satisfaction with the dedication of extension officers across the country.
“I am very happy that throughout my travels, extension officers are applauded for their dedication. It is now up to me to empower them with resources to increase yield,” the Minister said.
Minister Mofosi also addressed the issue of input distribution, assuring the farmers that they are a priority.
“We prioritise distributing inputs before time, and I am informed that the second batch will arrive on Monday. I challenge you all to be intentional and invest in agriculture so that Lesotho can feed itself,” he stated.
In closing, Minister Mofosi emphasised the importance of establishing relations with different institutions to ensure that farmers can operate independently and that Basotho are supported in agribusinesses.
“We have established partnerships to make sure that farmers have what they need to succeed. Let us continue to work together to break the hunger cycle and make Thaba-Tseka, and indeed the whole of Lesotho, self-sufficient in food production,” the Minister concluded.
Thaba-Tseka’s Market Day not only celebrated the district’s agricultural achievements but also reinforced its commitment to sustaining and enhancing food security for generations to come.
