Africa-Press – Lesotho. With the aim of addressing the food crisis in the country, the government will buy grains (beans and maize) from Basotho starting on July 19 to August 04.
According to Disaster Management Authority (DMA) Assistant Public Relations Officer, Ms. Mahlape Koali this follows the Lesotho Vulnerability Assessment and Analysis of 2022/2023 which revealed that 521, 000 Basotho face hunger crisis.
Ms. Koali said the current situation reveals that some households are faced with food insecurity, saying the government aims to buy grains from Basotho and beneficiaries will engage in community projects to receive food.
She indicated that grains will be bought at the Food Management Unit across the country from 08:00 -16:30, saying farmers are advised to sell grains produced in 2023 of a quality market standard.
She said the government is aware that there are some Basotho who buy grains from South Africa and sell them to the government, saying during the selling process, the government will confirm if the seller is indeed a farmer through a letter from the Chief.
Ms. Koali said all farmers who will sell their grains are expected to present an Identity Document or passport, letter from the bank they use, indicating that EcoCash and Mpesa will also be used for payments.
Meanwhile, the quantity of grains to be bought will differ per district. However, it is expected that 1 200 000 kg of maize and 240 000 kg of beans will be bought.
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