Africa-Press – Lesotho. The higher yield acquired at fields based at ha Makhoathi in Thaba – Bosiu signifies that the country could combat hunger and poverty through farming. This was said by Prime Minister, Mr. Samuel Ntsokoane Matekane when addressing farmers at Ha Makhoathi during maize harvesting on Thursday. Mr.
Matekane said the 47 bags, which was just a quarter of a field in which about 250 bags are expected, shows that the country is capable to produce its food.
“I am proud of what I see because the owner of this field might go home with about 60 bags of maize,” he said.
The Prime Minister, therefore, urged Basotho to prepare for summer cropping as higher yield is also expected in winter cropping. On the other hand, the Minister of Agriculture, Food Security and Nutrition Mr.
Thabo Mofosi expressed gratitude that the Prime Minister’s objective of producing food through farming has been achieved. He said the higher maize yield is an example to other farmers across the country, adding that Berea and other areas have also produced higher yields.
He also assured farmers that farming inputs for summer cropping will be available in high quantities, encouraging them to be prepared for this upcoming cropping.
Thaba-Bosiu Member of Parliament, Mr. Isaac Malebaleba who funded and used his farming equipment to plough the fields of Makhoathi farmers expressed appreciation for the high yield.
He said he fulfilled the Prime Minister’s request to ensure that they produce food in constituencies, saying he ploughed 116 fields of his community. “We started planting in November last year until December 15 and we could have produced more if there were no heavy rains,” he said.
One of the farmers Mr. Morema Makhoathi commended the Prime Minister and Member of Parliament for extending a helping hand in food production. He said he was unable to engage in both winter and summer cropping for years due to financial constraints, saying he will now be able to put food on the table for his family.
The maize harvest in this area and others takes place when Basotho celebrate their new year which begins on August 01. The Basotho new year as per historians means that it is time to harvest crops and plant new ones.
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