IN a bid to improve agriculture in Lesotho, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has engaged in three key projects aimed at curbing the high rate of poverty, hunger and unemployment.
business
May 9, 2021
STAFF REPORTER
2 min read
Farmers benefit from SADP initiatives
Acting Minister of Agric Likopo Mahase
The ministry has therefore awarded contracts to beneficiaries of the Smallholder Agriculture Development Project (SADP) II during an event that was held in Maseru on Friday.
A total of 67 farmers from Mokhotlong, Thaba-Tseka and Qacha’s Nek were offered contracts by the SADP II.
Speaking at the event on Friday, the Acting Minister of Agriculture Likopo Mahase said the initiative comes after farmers in the three districts pleaded with the ministry to be included in SADP projects.
The minister, however, appealed to the beneficiaries to allocate the funds to the projects which they are aimed at as that could be a sign of responsibility on the part of Basotho to the donors.
One of the beneficiaries, ’Maneo Qhobosheane thanked the ministry for its support, saying such projects could help create employment for this country’s youth.
She was hopeful that the first beneficiaries will work hard to ensure the success of the project.
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For her part, the Director Planning in the ministry, ’Mabolaoana Phakisi said the SADP project will focus on issues such as increasing agricultural market opportunities, increasing market-oriented smallholder production, identifying commercially viable activities that can be replicated and successfully scaled up and project management.
The project is financed by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the World Bank, the Policy Human Resource Development as well as the government of Lesotho. LeNA
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