Africa-Press – Lesotho. Maluti Fresh Produce Market (MFPM) capacitated farmers with skills to meet their market standards on Friday. This up skilling was specifically on production handling, packaging and pricing.
According to MFPM Market Master Nthako Supu, the purpose of the training is to prepare farmers for massive production with the aim to increase and improve the market in Lesotho by giving
producers an opportunity to sell their products. The farmers were highlighted on handling of perishable goods, where Supu said they deserve good handling from the fields.
He added that the farmers need to be careful and wisely choose the methods of irrigation for their products to avoid decrease in value. “You have to be cautious of the
planting seasons and harvest times so as to know which plants are appropriate for which season and soil. Also know when the produce will reach the market
because some continue to ripen even after harvest,” Supu stated. He urged the farmers to maintain cleanliness when handling the produce, even on their body.
He encourage the use of accredited pesticides to ensure quality production, and to also avoid putting the harvest on the floor where it is likely to attract diseases.
The farmers are to use the stores, containers or bags to store the harvest before it goes to the market. On packaging, MFPM Salesperson Topela Libenyane said it helps with branding and pricing strategies, which include promotional
pricing, pricing skimming and psychological. “Packaging is significant in the market because it assists with protection of products. It needs to be attractive and branded to add value to the product in order to evade the loss
of pricing value. It is also vital to mark the products in terms of identity and Kilograms (Kgs),” Libenyane highlighted. He noted that packaging goes with
grading method whereby it is essential for the products to be identical in the package and be in one size to avoid cheating. Cheating is unsafe; he warned “it
will destroy the market even though there is traceability for transparency in the market and I urge you farmers to be honest, know your products, class and
the names of the seedlings utilized”. Small Holder Agriculture Development Project (SADP) II Quthing District Officer ‘Mabafokeng Mangope in her remarks said
the project assist farmers with the procedures to follow when they move in the market and helps them with participation in workshops. Mangope enlightened that
the project with registered agricultural companies in the field of fruits and vegetables and processed food. She instructed farmers to work in groups because that will enable them to get inputs and discount when they buy goods
and services in the marketplace. “You have to find a market before producing as that will enable you to know what is expected and the quantity,” she said.
Lesotho National Farmers Union (LENAFU) Vice-President Daniel Chakela said the ball is in the court for the farmers to continue producing in large numbers.
He showed that Leribe farmers and other districts are generating a greater part and they can put their products together to reach the market but their main challenge is the mode of
transport. “In Mohale’s Hoek also there is valuable production because of the use of greenhouses supplied by SADP II. We are greatful because for a long time it was an outcry of LENAFU for the farmers to have particular place like this one where they can place their production for selling,” Chakela said.
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