Impassable roads block wool and mohair revenue
MOSA MAOENG
MASERU – Nestled in the picturesque yet isolated highlands of Lesotho, farmers in Qacha’s Nek and Thaba-Tseka face a formidable challenge that has hindered their livelihoods for years: the lack of accessible roads.
This challenge, which has been a longstanding barrier to the wool and mohair trade, was brought into sharp focus during the High-Level Dialogue on Food Systems in Lesotho, hosted by the United Nations Sustainable Development Group earlier this week.
Neo Matjato-Moteane, from the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, highlighted the severity of this issue, noting that wool and mohair, which are vital to the local economy, remain stuck in wool sheds due to the lack of roads, particularly in areas like Manamaneng in Thaba-Tseka.
These areas, where the terrain is rugged and the weather often unforgiving, produce the majority of Lesotho’s wool and mohair, yet they remain among the least served by infrastructure. “The farmers are not asking for handouts; they are asking for that one road that could change everything,” Moteane said.
He further explained that while significant funds are allocated for road maintenance, there is a pressing need to shift policy focus toward building trade facilities and improving connectivity.
“These areas contribute between 70 and 75 percent of our wool and mohair production. We need better access through the three key borders of Lesotho—Maputsoe, Maseru, and Qacha’s Nek—to ensure that the produce reaches markets in good condition.”
He revealed an ambitious plan to invest M12 billion over the next five years, with 60 percent of that budget earmarked for enhancing regional connectivity to the highlands.
This investment is seen as a crucial step toward integrating these isolated communities into the broader economy and ensuring that their contributions to the wool and mohair industry are not stifled by logistical challenges.
The struggle of farmers in these remote areas is not just a matter of economics; it is a matter of survival. In an interview with Public Eye, Sky Light Wool and Mohair Association Chairperson, Teboho Tese shed light on the dire situation.
“In Semonkong at Ha Seng (Brepela), we face a huge challenge with road access. Transporting sheep to woolsheds is a difficult task that requires immense effort and time,” he said.
The difficulties extend to places like Ha Peterose in Thaba-Tseka district, where the lack of proper transportation infrastructure forces farmers to rely on vans to move their wool and mohair—an impractical solution given the volume and bulk of the goods.
Tese explained that the situation could be vastly improved with government intervention, such as providing dumping trucks to help level the roads with quarry material.
“We are not asking for perfect roads, just something functional. If the government can assist with basic road levelling, we can manage the rest on our own,” he said.
The same challenges persist in the Senqu woolshed in Mohale’s Hoek, where roads to places like Phamong are in desperate need of basic improvements.
The difficulties faced by wool and mohair farmers are compounded by global factors, such as the Russia-Ukraine war, which has disrupted market access and slashed profits.
“The war impacted our market, especially for mohair. Profits were low, but we are starting to see some light. By November, we hope to achieve significant progress if things continue at this pace,” Tese added, hinting at the resilience and determination of these farmers.
In Thaba-Tseka, the story is much the same. The Bobete Wool and Mohair Grower Association Chairperson, Chesang Maanela lamented the lack of government attention to their plight.
“It is a well-known fact that we struggle with roads. After shearing, we often have to meet trucks halfway because the roads are so damaged. Even when we seek help from local councillors for basic quarrying materials, our pleas fall on deaf ears,” Maanela said.
The frustration is palpable, as these farmers feel overlooked by a government that they accuse of prioritising other sectors over their critical industry.
Despite these challenges, hope remains on the horizon. A new financing agreement aimed at improving the livelihoods of wool and mohair farmers was recently signed by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the Kingdom of Lesotho.
The seven-year Wool and Mohair Value-chain Competitiveness Project (WaMCoP) seeks to increase the economic and climate resilience of 225,000 rural people.
This project is particularly significant for women and youth, who will make up 50 percent and 35 percent of the participants, respectively.
WaMCoP promises to promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth and help create private sector jobs, providing much-needed relief and support to a sector that has long been neglected. As these highland communities await the fruits of these investments, the call for better infrastructure remains urgent.
