The Honourable Minister of Agriculture, Food Security and Nutrition (MAFSN) in Lesotho, Mr Thabo Mofosi, took time from his busy schedule to visit regional Agricultural Research station in Thabang Mokhotlong district, Mahobong in Leribe district and main Agricultural Research station in Maseru. The tour, which started from the 3rd and ended on the 4th of February 2025, enabled the Minister to appreciate progress and achievements made by APPSA-Lesotho under the World Bank supported Agricultural Productivity Programme for Southern Africa (APPSA).
The Minister was accompanied by the Principal Secretary in MAFSN, Mr Thabo Moleko, Director of Agricultural Research (Dr Lefulesele Lebesa), Director of Crops (Mrs Mamokhoebi Mokuoane), Director of Field Services (Mr Thabo Sekhonyana). Also in attendance were Horticulture RCoL Coordinator (Ms Monica Lephole), Infrastructure Commodity Leader (Mr Mothusi Thai), Cereal Commodity Leader (Dr Bataung Kuenene), Technology Dissemination Commodity Leader (Mr Lefutso Ramokoatsi) and officers from the Agricultural Information Services. Others include District Agricultural Officers, District Extension Officers and subject matter specialists and other senior officials from the Ministry.
APPSA is a six (6) years World Bank funded collaborative project, which seeks to promote a regional approach to agricultural technology generation and dissemination by supporting, strengthening and scaling up Regional Centers of Leadership (RCoL) on commodities of regional importance. Lesotho is establishing a Regional Center of Leadership (RCoL) in horticulture and horticulture-based farming systems while its counterpart Angola is establishing an RCoL in cassava and cassava-based farming systems.
The Principal Secretary highlighted that the purpose of the minister’s tour was to establish progress regarding infrastructure development as well as field trials and demonstrations undertaken by APPSA. The delegation was exposed to on-station and on-farm trials and demonstrations.
Horticulture RCoL Coordinator explains to the Minister and his delegation the efficiency of the new weather station in Mokhotlong Agricultural Research Station
The Honourable Minister expressed his appreciation and satisfaction with the infrastructure development that has been made possible by APPSA. He indicated that agricultural research is the foundation of proper and thriving agricultural production in Lesotho. Mr Mofosi pointed out that the establishment of weather stations in regional research stations is of utmost importance for the dissemination of the much-required weather-related information by the farming community. He highlighted the significance of new and well-equipped laboratories that would benefit agriculture in Lesotho and reduce heavy reliance by local scientists on laboratories from other countries. The minister expressed his gratitude to the World Bank for supporting APPSA and other partners who have played a significant role in supporting Lesotho during the implementation of the programme.
Minister of Agriculture exposed to potato demonstration in Mokhotlong District Agricultural Research station
Source: Department of Agricultural Research of Lesotho
