At least 20 Farm Lead Gardeners, locally known as Lihoai basupisi, from two areas within the Mjanyane Community Council, are currently undergoing a five-day training on food security. The training, which is being held at Mjanyane Primary School until Friday this week, is part of a broader initiative to improve food production and resilience in the region.
Organized by the Drought Relief Project of the Lesotho Red Cross Society (LRCS) in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture, Food Security, and the Nutrition Tele Resource Centre (RC), the training aims to equip participants with the necessary skills to produce food effectively. The Lihoai basupisi, who serve as representatives of the project beneficiaries, are learning practical techniques in preparation for the distribution of vegetable seeds to local families.
The goal of the initiative is to empower these lead gardeners to assist the beneficiaries in growing vegetables for their families. The Lihoai basupisi will serve as supervisors to ensure the proper cultivation of crops, ultimately building the community’s resilience to food insecurity. By gaining hands-on experience and knowledge, these lead gardeners will play a pivotal role in supporting sustainable food production at the household level.
In an interview, Mrs. ‘Malitle Fuma, a Nutrition Area Technical Officer (ATO) from the Tele Agricultural Resource Centre, highlighted the importance of the training. She explained that participants are not only being trained in agricultural techniques but are also being encouraged to engage actively in food production. This, she stressed, is a key strategy to address food insecurity, which remains a significant challenge in many rural communities.
The training focuses on equipping the Lihoai basupisi with the skills to teach others in their communities, enabling them to spread knowledge about sustainable farming practices. This approach helps ensure that the benefits of the project reach a wider audience and contribute to long-term improvements in food security across the region.
As the project progresses, the hope is that these trained gardeners will play a crucial role in transforming the local agricultural landscape, fostering self-sufficiency, and improving the livelihoods of families in the Mjanyane Community. The partnership between the Lesotho Red Cross Society and the Tele Agricultural Resource Centre is a significant step towards creating a more food-secure and resilient population.
