MASERU – The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Tefo Mapesela says agriculture is essential in tackling the hunger and poverty induced by the outbreak of the novel Coronavirus.
business
Sept. 5, 2020
STAFF REPORTER
2 min read
Agriculture best to eradicate poverty
Agric minister Tefo Mapesela
The minister made these remarks on Friday during a handing over ceremony of four tractors to the Ministries of Defence and National Security as well as of Justice and Law. Each ministry received two tractors.
Mr Mapesela encouraged the two ministries to first engage in community mobilization as well as negotiate with members of the community who have arable land with fertile soil but are unable to plough, saying they should engage in crop-partnership so that they could also get something to eat.
He promised that the agriculture ministry will subsidise a variety of seeds by 60 per cent in order to meet the farmers half-way in their effort to produce food.
He also urged the beneficiaries to ensure the safety of the donated machinery.
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Accepting the donation, the justice minister Professor Nqosa Mahao said the tractors will go a long way towards helping them produce food for inmates.
“The biggest challenges facing Lesotho include hunger and poverty, but agriculture is the only solution to address these challenges,” Prof Mahao said.
He showed agriculture could go a long way towards helping improve the country's economy, adding that they are aiming to increase food production from the current 25 per cent to at least 40 per cent.
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