Mr Lejone Mpotjoana, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Relations for the Kingdom of Lesotho, presented a compelling case for Lesotho to host the Regional Agricultural Research Hub for African Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) at a recent high-level event in Awaza, Turkmenistan.
The event, held during the 3rd LLDCs Conference, focused on agricultural transformation as a core objective for the 32 LLDCs, highlighting its role in resilience, prosperity, and achieving Sustainable Development Goals.
The Minister acknowledged the significant challenges faced by LLDCs, such as high transport costs, volatile markets, and infrastructure deficits, which severely impact their agricultural sectors.
He lamented that food insecurity is a deepening crisis in these countries, with more than half the population experiencing moderate to severe insecurity.
He highlighted that establishing Regional Agricultural Research Hubs is a strategic and collaborative solution to unlock the potential of agricultural lands in LLDCs.
In his presentation he alluded that the Lesotho’s vision for the hub is supported by three foundational pillars:
• A Unique Living Laboratory for Resilience: Lesotho’s mountainous terrain and position on the front lines of climate change, with rising temperatures and extreme weather events, make it an ideal “proving ground for agricultural innovation”. Solutions developed here would be robust, climate-smart, and easily adaptable to other LLDCs facing similar environmental pressures. The country’s abundant water resources and fertile soils further enhance its suitability as a strategic “living laboratory”.
• Proven Commitment and National Experience: He also highlighted Lesotho’s active implementation of a climate-resilient agricultural future through national policies like the Lesotho Climate-Smart Agriculture Investment Plan. The country is making strides in sustainable agriculture by promoting conservation agriculture and developing climate-resilient crop varieties. It is also starting to use technology for precision agriculture, although there is a recognized need for more integration of AI-powered systems.
• A Record of Regional and International Collaboration: Lesotho’s leadership as the SADC Regional Centre of Leadership for Horticulture demonstrates its ability to coordinate progress on a regional scale. The nation’s active partnerships with international bodies such as FAO, IAEA, FARA, and CCARDESA showcase its integration into the global research community.
Furthermore, King Letsie III’s role as the African Union Champion for Nutrition and FAO Ambassador for nutrition underscores the country’s commitment to food security.
Lesotho’s aspirations and priorities for the hub are not just about receiving benefits but about active participation. The government has a clear vision for increasing agricultural production and plans to use the research hub as an engine for progress.
To support this, Lesotho intends to establish a network of agricultural aggregation centers to help farmers connect their produce to both local and regional markets, ensuring fair pricing and strengthening the domestic food supply chain.
Beyond selling raw produce, Lesotho also plans to invest in further processing of agricultural products to add value, increase farmers’ yields, create jobs, and keep wealth within the communities.
In conclusion, he stated that Lesotho is not just a beneficiary but a committed partner ready to contribute to the collective goal of agricultural transformation. He expressed the nation’s readiness to “ignite a green revolution” in the region and asked for support in entrusting Lesotho with this critical responsibility.
Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Relations (06/08/2025)
