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“The United Nations International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) reiterates its commitment to helping Lesotho unlock the potential of the agriculture sector and strengthen food and nutrition security,” said Donal Brown, IFAD Vice-President and Head of Programme Management.
At the invitation of His Majesty King Letsy III, Donal Brown visited Basotho on the occasion of the 200th anniversary of Basotho nationhood to explore new ways to deepen cooperation.
“By working closely with the government and the private sector, we can create a more resilient and sustainable food system that will benefit all Basotho,” said Donal Brown. “We remain committed to supporting Lesotho through innovative approaches, knowledge sharing and capacity building. By investing in smallholder farmers and rural communities, IFAD aims to contribute to a more equitable and sustainable future for the country,” added Donal Brown.
Despite its rich natural resources, Lesotho faces significant barriers to the development of its primary industries. Climate change is exacerbating land degradation, soil erosion and water scarcity. These challenges particularly affect rural communities, with 66% of households relying on a deteriorating natural resource base.
During the visit, Donal Brown met with King Letsi III, Prime Minister Nzokoane Samuel Matekane and other ministers to discuss strategies to increase agricultural productivity, improve livelihoods and reduce poverty. IFAD and the Government of Lesotho also announced a $25 million investment in the Regeneration Opportunities Fund (ROF), a sustainable financing mechanism for land regeneration.
His Majesty King Letsie III, together with the Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Qu Dongyu, and the Deputy Executive Director for Programmes and Policy Development of the World Food Programme (WFP), Valerie Guarnieri, attended the Rome-based agencies’ visit to the Mahobong Orchard in Leribe. The field trip enabled the delegates to understand the potential of the country’s agricultural commercialization, a key element of its National Strategic Development Plan (NSDP II).
Donal Brown also participated in the High-Level Dialogue on Food Systems, where a fruitful discussion took place on innovative approaches to transform food systems.
Since 1980, IFAD and its partners have invested $311 million in 12 rural development programmes and projects in the Kingdom of Lesotho, benefiting 339,720 rural households. These initiatives have helped increase agricultural production, improve market access and build resilience to climate change. This momentum must be strengthened today.
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