LNDC progresses on #PeoMobung wheat farming project

RETHABILE MOHONO

MASERU – The Lesotho National Development Corporation (LNDC) in collaboration with Ministry of Agriculture has provided an update on the progress of its #PeoMobung project, which was officially launched in November 2024 in Quthing.

The project has successfully ploughed 230 hectares of wheat, with 112 tons harvested and ready for market.

“This initiative showcases our unwavering commitment to transforming agriculture, empowering communities, and strengthening Lesotho’s food security,” the LNDC shared.

The announcement follows a recent progress inspection visit by the LNDC’s Development Finance Unit to its farming site in Quthing.

In collaboration with the Ha Koali community in Mount Moorosi, the LNDC planted over 200 hectares of wheat as part of its commitment to tackling hunger and poverty while driving the agricultural and agro-processing sectors.

During the visit, Thabo Moleko, the Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security, and Nutrition, explained that before signing an agreement with the Ha-Koali community, soil samples were tested to confirm compatibility with selected fertilizers. The positive results contributed to the project’s current success.

Moleko highlighted that the Ministry of Agriculture has played a crucial role in guiding and supervising the project alongside the LNDC. LNDC CEO Molise Ramaili expressed pride in the initiative, revealing that the project has been strengthened through a partnership with Zimbabwean company ZFC Limited, which supplies fertilizer.

Quthing Assistant Commissioner Police ACP Tutuoane Mosetlelo, underscored the importance of farming to increase means of livelihoods.

He encouraged the LNDC and its partners to continue similar projects in Quthing, noting the region’s vast arable land and access to water from the Senqu River.

Agriculture Minister, Thabo Mofosi, commended the project’s progress and emphasized the importance of adaptability in farming, especially in the face of climate change. He urged stakeholders to continuously assess and improve agricultural projects for better outcomes.

Mofosi also noted that 34% of the harvested wheat has already been stored, with Itau, a milling and packaging company, playing a key role in processing the yield.

The project follows a 70:30 produce-sharing model, with 70% allocated to the ministry and LNDC, while 30% goes to the Ha Koali community.

Each harvesting truck in the fields collects approximately 50 bags, each weighing 50kg. To streamline production, the Ministry has invested in testing machines for immediate grading after harvesting, eliminating previous logistical challenges.

Renovations at the Quthing Resource Centre are also underway to improve conditions for project overseers.

With promising results from initiatives like the #PeoMobung project, Lesotho moves closer to achieving food security, reducing poverty, and ensuring a sustainable agricultural future.