The second batch of 108 herd boys and female herders from the districts of Leribe, Botha-Bothe and Berea were offered 10 ewes and 1 ram per herd boy by the Government of Lesotho (GoL) at an event held in Maseru on Thursday.

While handing over these animals, the Prime Minister, Mr. Ntsokoane Matekane said this is an initiative of the government of Lesotho aimed at establishing more Basotho owned businesses across the country.

Mr. Matekane stated that agriculture has been identified as one of the fields which holds the potential for sustainable growth and therefore needs support, adding that the presence of female herders is a clear indication of the government of Lesotho’s progress towards gender inclusivity.

The Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office, Mr. Limpho Tau said this initiative comes from the office of the Prime Minister through the Poverty Reduction Unit (PRU).

Mr. Tau showed that this project was made successful also by the purchase made from Basotho producers who managed to make a sale of about 152 animals valued at M700 000.

Also speaking, the Minister of Agriculture, Food Security and Nutrition, Mr. Thabo Mofosi said the government has engaged in a number of projects aimed at improving the wool and mohair production in the country.

Mr. Mofosi revealed that the herd boys will continuously be supervised by the ministry’s auxiliary officers, equipping them with all the skills to produce animals.

One of the beneficiaries Mr. Telang Kobong said this initiative is going to improve their livelihood while also contributing to the growth of the economy of the country.

District Administrator for the Maseru district Mr. Ts’epo Lethobane applauded the government for this initiative also urging the government to ensure that such projects are monitored to ensure their growth.

He also begged the government to ensure that the police are well equipped to protect the livestock of the citizens.

Meanwhile, the Chairperson of the Lesotho Wool and Mohair Growers Association, Mr. Mokoenehi Thinyane said it is through such projects that Lesotho can move from being No.4 in the global records of wool and mohair production to being the best producer across the globe.

This project is reported to have been launched in 2018 in the Mokhotlong district then moved to Semonkong, Qacha’s Nek, Quthing and some parts of Mohale’s Hoek.

It is expected that the same initiative be done in the districts of Mafeteng and Mohale’s Hoek early next year.

Source: LENA 02/11/2023