This week in Lesotho, the long-awaited Pitso Farmers Agricultural Week, organized by News Day Media and the newspaper Seahlolo, has begun. The main topic of discussion was livestock production and the necessity of constant control over the entire value chain.
The event, held in Maseru, gathered farmers, exhibitors, agribusiness representatives, policymakers, organized agriculture workers, civil servants, and community members. Participants analyzed ways to ensure that agriculture benefits all segments of the population.
During a panel discussion, stakeholders spoke not only about the farming process itself but also about the sector shaped by production science, nutrition, animal health, pastureland, knowledge dissemination, economics, finance, risks, and the interaction between livestock, people, and household well-being.
Speaking on behalf of the Ministry of Lesotho, Mobusetsa Makau stated that the government is ready to cooperate with all parties to ensure agricultural prosperity. He noted the value of such platforms that allow everyone to gather and discuss issues concerning farmers and the entire community.
Makau emphasized that this gathering takes place at an uncertain time marked by food security challenges, and called on participants to develop practical solutions for current difficulties.
Professor Setsumi Molapo, a senior lecturer at the National University of Lesotho, pointed out the critical importance of starting work on sustainable production using available resources, as the country is heavily dependent on imports, including feed.
Molapo highlighted the problem of practices that are not based on scientific research, which leads to constant difficulties in the agricultural sector. He insisted on the need to invest in research and adapt to modern conditions. Furthermore, he stressed that understanding the genetics and composition of feeds is necessary for feed distribution, which is only possible through scientific investigation.
He also explained that understanding and adapting to climate change is vital for the sector's development and for it to become a source of hope for rural residents. Molapo added that even if people farm not for commercial purposes, they must realize that livestock farming is a business, and that there are institutions capable of helping them move to a higher level given climate change.
At the university, according to Molapo, an advanced stage of developing vaccines against avian flu and other vaccines has been reached; however, the goal is not just to transfer these vaccines but to simplify the information for Basotho so they know how best to use them.
Senior Lecturer in Animal Science, Motselisi Mahlekhla from the National University of Lesotho, added that animal nutrition is an integral part of livestock farming that cannot be ignored. She noted that it is necessary to ensure that the feed given to animals is correct so that the products they yield are of high quality. Therefore, farmers are implementing strategies that meet the nutritional needs of the animals.
Mahlekhla stated that ensuring a balanced diet is required for livestock prosperity. Although not all methods will work, it is important to be aware of the long-term consequences of decisions made. Her key message was that adaptability is the key to growth for farmers.
She also pointed out that to increase food production, the livestock value chain must be managed correctly, based on research conducted by institutions such as universities and researchers.
Meanwhile, Mofihle Motsetsero from the Lesotho Ministry of Environment reported that exceptional measures are needed for the country to move forward and ensure care for the livestock value chain. He emphasized that public-private partnerships are the key driver of economic liberation not only for farmers but for the entire agricultural community of Lesotho and its rural areas.
Motsetsero concluded that it is necessary to guarantee the high quality of grass eaten by animals, which implies community responsibility for the lands used for the benefit of all residents.