The Minister of Trade, Industry and Business Development Mr Mokhethi Shelile will on Wednesday undertake a guided tour of the Lesotho Incubation and Training Centre in Mahobong.
In an interview with the Agency on Tuesday, the Communication Specialist for Competitiveness and Financial Inclusion (CAFI), Ms. Lihaelo Nkaota, said the visit marks an important milestone in the implementation of the national horticulture development agenda supported through international partnerships.
Ms. Nkaota said the tour will focus on the Centre’s incubation and training facilities, as well as the Packhouse, which were established with financial support from the World Bank as the principal financier. She added that additional funding was provided through the India, Brazil and South Africa (IBSA) Facility for Poverty and Hunger Alleviation, administered by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
She noted that the Centre is expected to play a transformative role in strengthening Lesotho’s horticulture value chain by providing practical skills training, supporting emerging farmers and agribusinesses, improving post-harvest handling and enhancing access to both local and export markets.
“The operationalisation of this Centre is a major step towards building competitiveness in the horticulture sector. It will help reduce post-harvest losses, improve quality standards and create opportunities for smallholder farmers and youth to participate meaningfully in agribusiness,” Ms. Nkaota said.
She added that the Minister’s visit is also intended to demonstrate how strategic investments in infrastructure and skills development can contribute to inclusive economic growth, job creation and food security, in line with national development priorities.
Ms. Nkaota further said that several high-level dignitaries have been invited to attend the tour, including the Minister of Agriculture, Food Security and Nutrition, the World Bank Country Representative, the UNDP Resident Representative, the Vice Chancellor of the National University of Lesotho and the High Commissioner of the Republic of South Africa, among other key stakeholders.
The Lesotho Horticulture incubation and Training Centre in Mahobong was established as part of government’s efforts to revitalise an commercialise diversification, food security and job creation.
ends/NT/BM