Farmers in Mokhotlong are celebrating a bumper harvest from their joint farming initiative with the Lesotho Highlands Development Authority (LHDA), saying the partnership has transformed their livelihoods and strengthened community resilience.

The scheme operates on a 70-30 profit-sharing model, with 70 percent of proceeds going to the community and 30 percent to LHDA, and has enabled farmers to grow maize and potatoes at a scale they had never achieved before.

‘Marethabile Motula, one of the beneficiary farmers, praised the partnership, stating that they had not enjoyed such a harvest before the LHDA came on board. Last year, Motula mentioned that they received a donation of 42 bags of potatoes, which were shared among six farmers.

She noted that they now take their proceeds to the bank and that they are no longer experiencing famine as farmers in Mokhotlong under the Sekokong Potatoes Association.

Another farmer, ‘Mathabo Mahamo, expressed that they have gained resilience through their partnership with the LHDA. “We are now engaged in commercial farming. Our families and those of our neighbours have improved. We can send our children to school, and we want them to understand the benefits of farming so they can sustain their lives in the future.”

Mahamo also mentioned that the LHDA assists them in securing markets for their produce.

For his part, Realeboha Lebetla called on the LHDA to help them scale up their production and increase their capacity.

Boitumelo ‘Mote, a Crop Production Officer, stated that they cultivated potatoes and maize in collaboration with farmers for sale. She mentioned that 40 acres of land were planted with potatoes, although the harvest was not satisfactory. They produced 1,490 bags of potatoes, which were sold for M99,340.

The maize was planted on 15.4 acres, yielding three varieties of yellow maize, and they experienced a good harvest, producing 78 bags of 70 kg each.

However, she noted that sales were low, as the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) had previously provided potato seeds to farmers in Mokhotlong. They harvested 1,800 kg bags of potatoes, which were sold for M81,000. “We want to leave the farmers as sustainable as they can,” she emphasised.

LHDA stated that this farming project involves both those affected by the project and those who are not. They also engage community members for short-term work during the farming and harvesting seasons. Casual workers are paid M3,420 per month to remove invasive species, which hinder the growth of other plants. These include pasalina montana (rapeisi) and chrysocoma celiata (sehalahala).

The LHDA has also supported communities through various agricultural activities, including chicken rearing and egg production.

It has further rehabilitated areas under brush control, engaging over 1,400 beneficiaries and disbursing M41 million to them in wages. Approximately 178 hectares of land have been rehabilitated, 66 gabions constructed, and 4,137 indigenous trees planted.

• The scheme operates on a 70-30 profit-sharing model, with 70 percent of proceeds going to the community and 30 percent to LHDA, and has enabled farmers to grow maize and potatoes at a scale they had never achieved before.
• She noted that they now take their proceeds to the bank and that they are no longer experiencing famine as farmers in Mokhotlong under the Sekokong Potatoes Association.
• We can send our children to school, and we want them to understand the benefits of farming so they can sustain their lives in the future.

Thoboloko Ntšonyane is a dedicated journalist who has contributed to various publications. He focuses on parliament, climate change, human rights, sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR), health, business and court reports. His work inspires change, triggers dialogue and also promote transparency in a society.