Agric ministry woos youth into business

BOKANG MOSHOESHOE

MASERU – As an initiative to tackle youth unemployment and boost agricultural productivity in Lesotho, the Minister of Agriculture, Thabo Mofosi, has officially launched the Youth Mentorship Programme under the government’s ongoing Second Smallholder Agriculture Development Project (SADP II).

The initiative aims to support and uplift 1 000 young Basotho farmers through hands-on mentorship, critical inputs and technical training.

Addressing members of the press and stakeholders during the launch, Minister Mofosi stated that the landmark programme seeks to empower the youth with practical tools and resources to thrive in agriculture and agribusiness, thereby playing a key role in both national food security and economic development.

“We are not just giving seeds and chicks; we are investing in the future of Lesotho. This initiative will transform agricultural livelihoods and inspire a generation of youth to view farming not just as a way of life, but as a viable and profitable business,” said the minister.

The Youth Mentorship Programme is open to Basotho youth aged 18 to 35, regardless of whether they have formal agricultural training.

The ministry emphasizes inclusivity and hopes to attract young people with fresh ideas and a willingness to contribute to agricultural transformation in the country.

The programme will provide targeted support tailored to specific agricultural enterprises, with the following categories outlined, potato producers, to receive high-quality potato seeds, fertilizers and crop treatment solutions to improve yield and combat common diseases and pests.

Egg producing farmers will benefit from provision of nutrient-rich poultry feed, aimed at increasing egg production and improving the health of laying hens, broiler chicken producers, both aspiring and existing, will be supported with day-old chicks and adequate starter and grower feed to help launch or scale up operations.

Lastly, vegetable producers and nursery growers will receive intensive technical support focused on pest management, climate-smart techniques, and crop diversification.

All selected participants will be required to attend mentorship sessions and agricultural workshops, designed to equip them with business management skills, marketing strategies, and sustainable farming methods.

Programme applications will be open for a limited period from July 22 to July 31, and interested youth are encouraged to collect application forms and guidance documents from their nearest agriculture resource centres and district agriculture offices.

In a step towards sustainable job creation Minister Mofosi underscored that the programme comes at a time when the country is grappling with high rates of youth unemployment and rural poverty.

The initiative also aligns with national strategies to promote agricultural entrepreneurship, climate resilience, and increased domestic food production as he stated that youth is often excluded from agricultural funding and land access, this program helps to bridge that gap and bring them to the centre of their food systems.

In addition to immediate support, the Ministry of Agriculture hopes that this mentorship program will create a network of youth-led agribusinesses that can eventually link with national and regional markets, thus opening long-term employment and export opportunities.

As Lesotho continues to seek solutions for its developmental challenges, especially in the context of climate change and global food insecurity, initiatives like the Youth Mentorship Programme represent bold, future-focused policy action. The ministry has pledged to ensure transparent selection processes and rigorous follow-ups to monitor the success of the programme.

Giving his final remarks, Mofosi urged young Basotho, especially those in rural areas, to seize the opportunity and become active players in transforming the country’s food systems.

He further stated that farming is not just for the old, it is for the bold as they want youth to lead the way.

With such a comprehensive and targeted initiative now underway, it appears Lesotho is making meaningful strides toward empowering its youth and revitalizing its agricultural sector from the grassroots up.