Lerato Matheka
Lesotho is grappling with a severe food insecurity crisis, exacerbated by prolonged drought and the impacts of El Niño. Over 699,000 Basotho are currently food insecure, prompting Prime Minister Samuel Matekane to declare a state of food disaster on 12 July 2024.
In response, a high-level delegation from three United Nations (UN) agencies will visit Lesotho from 4-6 August 2024 to bolster agricultural investment and support the country’s efforts to improve food and nutrition security.
On the invitation of His Majesty King Letsie III, who serves as the FAO Special Goodwill Ambassador for Nutrition, the delegation will include FAO Director-General QU Dongyu, WFP Assistant Executive Director for Programme and Policy Development Valerie Guarnieri, and IFAD Associate Vice-President for Programme Management Donal Brown.
The UN delegation’s visit underscores the international community’s commitment to addressing Lesotho’s pressing food insecurity issues.
A press statement from the UN office in Lesotho highlighted the critical nature of this visit, noting that “Lesotho faces significant challenges in achieving self-sufficiency in cereal, meat, and vegetable production. Even in favourable years, the country meets only 30 per cent of its cereal needs, relying heavily on imports, primarily from South Africa, resulting in high food prices and increasing the vulnerability of households engaged in low-productivity farming, herding, or informal employment.”
Despite these challenges, the UN in Lesotho noted that Lesotho has considerable potential for expanding its horticulture, meat, poultry, and dairy industries.
“Opportunities also exist in trout farming in the highlands and growing fruits and vegetables. However, only about 10 per cent of Lesotho’s arable land is actively farmed, with even less under irrigation.”
“Agriculture employs approximately 38 per cent of the population, so these sectors are crucial for poverty reduction and rural development,” the statement highlighted noting that investing in green technologies and sustainable farming practices is essential for building a resilient agricultural sector in Lesotho.
The country’s National Strategic Development Plan II (NSDP II) recognises the importance of improving nutrition by increasing agricultural production and resilience as a cornerstone for sustainable development and the government acknowledges the interdependence of the country’s agriculture and ecosystem health and has committed to reversing environmental degradation and adapting to climate change. However, substantial investment in green technologies and early warning systems is needed to enhance the country’s resilience to climate shocks.
The visiting delegation will engage with His Majesty King Letsie III, senior government officials, and representatives from civil society, the private sector, women and youth groups, and people with disabilities. Their visit will include a series of activities aimed at assessing and improving the state of food systems in Lesotho:
Sunday, 4th August:
Joint Field Visit: Departure from Maseru at 14:00 to Leribe Mahobong to visit His Majesty’s Legacy Project. Participants include His Majesty King Letsie III, the Prime Minister, Ministers, and the high-level UN delegation.
Monday, 5th August:
Stakeholder Meeting: From 10:30 to 12:30, representatives from FAO, WFP, IFAD, non-state actors, civil society, youth and women groups, beneficiaries, and people with disabilities will discuss the state of food systems in Lesotho.
Agriculture Market Day: At 14:00 in Masianokeng, Maseru, hosted by the Government of Lesotho, showcasing local agricultural produce and innovations.
Tuesday, 6th August:
High-Level Dialogue on Food Systems in Lesotho: From 08:30 to 13:30 at Maseru Avani, with His Majesty King Letsie III, the Prime Minister, Ministers, and the high-level UN delegation.
Press Conference: From 13:30 to 14:00, statements by FAO, IFAD, and WFP Principals.
This visit presents a unique opportunity to highlight the collaborative efforts to improve food and nutrition security in Lesotho and to explore the potential for agricultural development in the country. The UN delegation’s presence underscores the international community’s solidarity with Lesotho in its quest to overcome the food insecurity crisis and build a sustainable future.
