Farmers get inputs on time, expect better yields

The Portfolio Committee on the Economic and Development Cluster has lauded the 2025/26 agriculture finance budget, saying it has enabled most farmers to receive inputs on time, promising better production. 

The chairperson of the committee, Sello Hakane, sharedthis assessment in an interview with theReporter, following public gatherings with stakeholders in agriculture in Quthing and Mafeteng this week.

The ongoing public gatherings are aimed at assessingthe impact of the 2025/26 budget allocation to the sector on the farmers.

This financial year, agriculture was allocated M1.3billion, the same as the previous fiscal year, with a focus on food security and farmer support, through programmes like intensive crop production and wool and mohair value chains.

Hakane indicated that the committee’s mandate is to ensure the budget serves its purpose, and they have been meeting with crop and livestock farmers, and aquaculture producers to gauge its effectiveness.

“Considering the public’s cry for government subsidy inputs in the past financial years, the 2025/26 agriculture budget has served its purpose, with most farmers receiving inputs on time, promising better yields,” he said. 

However, the committee has identified areas for improvement, including the need for the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Nutrition to identify types of farmers in each district and their specific needs. 

In Quthing, the committee found that crop and vegetable farmers face significant challenges ofspringbok eating their crops. 

“We have realised that the community understands that they shouldn’t hurt these animals, but if the relevant ministries don’t act, villagers might end up losingpatience and harm them, Hakane warned. 

He noted that Quthing farmers also complained that they received limited vegetable seedlings.

In Mafeteng, individual and block farmers specialising in maize and wheat told the committee that this year’s inputs were delivered in time. However, they urged government to distribute the agricultural inputs closer to them, in order to minimise travel costs. 

Hakane said they learnt that farmers in Mafeteng have skills and are transitioning from subsistence to commercial farming, but struggle with market access.

There was therefore, need for government to shape the budget towards commercial farming and consider standard farming practices.

In Qacha’s Nek, farmers complained of delayed subsidies that contributed to delayed farming. 

“Agriculture is the backbone of our economy, and it’s crucial that we support our farmers. The 2025/26 budget has made significant strides in addressing the needs of farmers, and we are hoping to see positive results in this sector.

“However, we must continue to work together to address the challenges that remain, such as market access and human-wildlife conflicts. By doing so, we can ensure that our agriculture sector reaches its full potential and contributes to the country’s economic growth and food security,” Hakane stated.

After completing its engagement with farmers across all the country’s 10 districts, the committee will make recommendations to relevant ministries. This wouldinclude securing the Quthing area with fencing and creating a springbok sanctuary to attract tourists and prevent crop damage.

The recommendations will help government to address challenges faced by farmers and ensure the agriculture sector reaches its full potential, with a focus on supporting farmers’ transition to commercial farming and improving market access. The report will also be tabled before the Parliament for adoption.

The committee will host public gatherings in Leribe and Mokhotlong this week.

However, the Lesotho National Farmers Union (LENAFU) says it was not invited to the engagements.

LENAFU secretary General, Khotso Lepheana, said they were not aware of the public gatherings and the farmers might have attended in their own capacity and not as union representatives.

This development raises questions about the inclusivity of the consultation process and whether the committee’s assessment of the budget’s impact is comprehensive.

“LENAFU has not received an invitation to attend such gatherings and we are not aware of any details. We will ask the chairperson of the committee on how the arrangement was made,” Lepheana said when asked to comment on the initiative.

During the presentation of the 2025/26 mid-term budget review last month, the Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Dr Retšelisitsoe Matlanyane,indicated that the agricultural sector expects a modest recovery this financial year.

Dr Matlanyane said the forecast is based on early predictions pointing to normal rains. 

The expected improvements in rainfall is set to support crop yields and livestock conditions, giving farmers a better outlook for the year ahead.