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Remember the Mob
In an effort to revitalize the agricultural sector, Standard Bank Lesotho (SLB) awarded two farmers a total of M$200,780 in rewards for their commitment to implementing good agricultural practices and food safety standards, thereby improving their market access.
The winners were Litsoa-Mobung Fresh Producer and Riverside Fresh Farm Producer, who received RM161,000 and RM39,780 respectively.
The prize money awarded on Monday in Maseru is aimed at Support their progress towards GlobalGAP certification.
GlobalGAP is a certification standards body that outlines international standards to ensure good agricultural practices as a safeguard for food safety, worker health and safety, animal welfare and environmental protection.
SLB, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme, the Lesotho National Development Corporation (LNDC) and FinMak Trust, developed the Green Value Chains Project and Local Supplier Development Programme (GVC-LSDP), through which these farmers are trained and rewarded.
Following successful feedback from the assessments of the two farmers, the government injected cash to help them prepare for the implementation of good agricultural practices and food safety standards to improve market access.
The cash prize is designed to improve their productivity, sustainability and overall farm management.
In her speech, LNDC Trade Promotion Officer Makananelo Chefa said the cheques will be used to support farm certification and accreditation.explainOne supplier is already exporting to the South African market, while another is supplying KFC locally.
“The project aims to increase the capacity and resilience of the local agricultural industry through sustainable production, processing and marketing.….” Ms. Chefa said.
sheexplainGVC-LSDP will be piloted in 2021 for 50 Farm guarantor adopts and implement global good agricultural practices and food safety standards. This work aims to improve the competitiveness of key agricultural value chains.
“Trained farm assurers assess farms, guide farmers in implementing good farming practices, complying with food safety standards, and recommend certification for eligible farms,” she said.
She noted that 120 farms have signed up for the project, of which 63 (horticulture and livestock) have participated in the acceleration and mentoring program and have been assessed in line with GlobalGAP standards. In 2023, a mentoring program has identified 27 farmers after a credit readiness assessment. The program includes training in business planning, financial management, record keeping, marketing and entrepreneurship.
Head of Commercial Banking, Keketso Makara, commended the winners for their outstanding performance.
On behalf of the beneficiaries, Riverside Fresh Farm producer Malerato Khoeli expressed her gratitude to LNDC, UNDP, Standard Bank Lesotho and FinMak Trust. She acknowledged the role the project played in helping them get involved in agriculture, enabling them to provide for their families. Ms Khoeli also highlighted the help of the farm guarantor in record keeping, business planning, obtaining business loans and developing financial proposals, saying: “We are very grateful”.
Posts SLB awards M200,000 to two farmers First appeared in lesotho times.
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