Lesotho’s agricultural sector is dominated by smallholder and subsistence farmers. While it is Government’s priority to commercialize the farming system, there are a number of constraints that currently affect domestic production. These include limited use of irrigation and technology, weak extension systems, sub-standard marketing, poor access to markets for small producers, insecure land tenure and land degradation. In addition, the sector has struggled with the consequences of climate change, such as unpredictable weather conditions, marked by inconsistent rains and persistent droughts.
LENAFU keen to establish network amongst the cereal farmers in Lesotho
Lesotho National Farmers Union (LENAFU) is working hard to motivate farmers for establishment of producer groups, basically the cereal crops. The current situation is that, there is a few number of farmers groups for cereal crops in Lesotho. There is evidence that if producers in an area are able to work as a unit, they are in most cases able to meet set production targets by realizing economies of scale and increased bargaining power. The transformation of the food industry sector is currently characterized by the spreading of supermarkets, changes in the procurement system and modernizing of processing. This presents an opportunity for producers, particularly those who are organized. Institutions such as commodity/growers’ associations serve as important vehicles to get producers organized and working as a unit. Organizing farmers in producer groups/ networks always helps to develop appropriate or well-fitted producers’ skills and knowledge in order to overcome the specific challenges faced by the farmers. While LENAFU is now undertaking trainings and study tours to the farmers in the cereal crop farming sphere, we belief that organization of farmers in to commodity group/s shall enable for proper planning and provision of short training courses, study tours and workshops that encourages sharing of ideas and exchange of experiences among the farmers. This will also facilitate the development and dissemination of marketing information/ materials to the most appropriate farmers.
Specific activities we do for the farmers
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