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May 31, 2018

2 min read

Climate smart agriculture launched

Climate smart agriculture launched

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MASERU – The Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) profile will be used to make a clear investment plan for the country so as to ensure that there are appropriate interventions towards the negative effects of climate change. This was stated by the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Mr. Mahala Molapo at the CSA Profile Launch in Maseru last Monday. He indicated that through the system, the climate change impacts are minimised for agricultural development and are able to meet the growing demands of food, nutrition, industry and even create jobs. He noted that the population of Lesotho is 1.9 million and projected to reach about four million by 2050, adding that this begs for introspection. He questioned whether the country would manage to be self-sufficient in the wake of climate change if nothing is done now? According to Mr. Molapo, climate change and food security are some of the major development challenges facing African countries and Lesotho is no exception. He added that Lesotho is highly vulnerable to climate change and past and recent experiences such as unpredictable weather patterns are evidence to that. However, he further said the situation presents an opportunity for Lesotho to have a multi-disciplinary approach towards solving their problems. Speaking at the same event, the World Bank Country Representative, Ms. Janet K. Entwistle, said Lesotho's agriculture is highly vulnerable to climate and weather risks, but is also a source of greenhouse gas emissions. She added that vulnerability to climate and weather variability has reduced the productivity of the agriculture sector since farmers have very little capacity to cushion themselves from weather shocks. She indicated that the CSA concept reflects the need to integrate agriculture and climate change development agendas with the aim to achieve food security and broaden development goals under a changing climate and increasing food demand. Ms. Entwistle said the CSA’s profile should be advanced in the public agenda, raising awareness of the importance of investing in technologies and practices that simultaneously increase agricultural productivity, adaptation and mitigation. CSA concept reflects an ambition to improve the integration of agricultural development and climate responsiveness. It aims to achieve food security and broader development goals under a changing climate and increasing food demand. Lena

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