Death stroke for poultry farmers looms

‘MATHATO SEBOKA

MASERU – Local poultry farmers’ future is bleak. This as Land O’Lakes Venture37 mulls cancelled Lesotho’s Sustainable Transformation of Enterprises in the Poultry Sector (STEPS) project worth $31.4 million, which the Food for Progress (FFP) Lesotho had received.

This was perhaps the largest poultry ventures funding in Lesotho, which would see many farmers, move from sustainable to business poultry enterprises.

In October 30, 2023, The Embassy of United States (US) in Maseru announced the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) award to Lesotho of $31.4 million for FFP programme to enhance and boost markets in Lesotho’s poultry sector.

Land O’Lakes Venture37 was selected to implement programme in Lesotho, aimed to promote climate smart agricultural practices, improve food security and foster economic growth by providing crucial resources and technical assistance.

It was a 2023 to 2028 programme intended to facilitate the establishment of sustainable market linkages and enhance trade opportunities in Lesotho and targeted to assist about 29 500 people.

Many farmers who had found an opportunity in this project are going to lose their jobs and an opportunity to increase poultry productivities.

Farmers face a bleak future if the cancellation of this programme goes ahead, since it was intended for agricultural productivity and livelihood of farmers.

The cancellation would significantly exacerbate existing food security challenges.

By the end of the project, STEPS was intended to have enhanced the profitability of 35 000 value chain actors and increase meat and egg production by up to 40 and 30 percent, respectively. Ultimately, these changes envisioned to boost food security and poultry markets in Lesotho. 

Lesotho relies primarily on trade for sustenance, importing nearly 80 percent of all poultry products consumed in the country.

In partnership with the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Rural Self-Help Development Association (RSDA), and World Poultry Foundation (WPF), Land O’Lakes Venture37 is implemented in the United States’ Department of Agriculture Food for Progress Lesotho, STEPS project to transform Lesotho’s poultry sector through private sector enhancements that will boost markets in Lesotho’s poultry sector.

In Lesotho, there are two broad market categories of poultry: products derived from dual-purpose chickens and from commercial single-purpose chickens. Dual-purpose chickens are hardy, but slow growing, while single-purpose chickens are extremely efficient, but require more maintenance.

Most imports and poultry sold in Lesotho’s formal markets are single-purpose chickens. So, the STEPS project was intended to develop both dual and single-purpose poultry markets to meet both existing consumer demand and commercial producer preferences.

The ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Principal Secretary, Thabo Moleko, could not confirm or refute the impending cancellation of STEPS.

Quizzed on the impending doom, Moleko could only say “no, the ministry has not received any formal communication on the matter.”