Berea District Cultivates Over 6,100 Hectares as Summer Cropping Campaign Nears End

As the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Nutrition prepares to conclude the summer cropping campaign, Berea district has recorded significant farming activity. A total of 6,131 hectares of fields have been cultivated across the district.

Acting District Agricultural Officer Ms. Malehloenya Mphanya confirmed the figures in an interview on Tuesday. She said the cultivated land includes both block farmers and individual farmers who planted grain crops, mainly maize and beans.

Out of the total cultivated area, only 3,768 hectares were successfully sown with maize. Ms. Mphanya explained that heavy rains affected progress, especially in low-lying areas where flooding damaged fields. These weather conditions limited full planting despite land preparation being completed.

On the block farming programme, Berea registered 30 farmers. Together they cultivated 2,021 hectares. From this area, only 1,311 hectares were successfully sown due to the same weather-related challenges.

Ms. Mphanya added that 1,767 hectares were cultivated and planted with beans. She said beans remain the recommended crop as the summer cropping campaign comes to an end, with Friday this week marked as the final planting date. All crops planted so far are reported to be in good condition, supported by favorable weather patterns.

At the same time, the district is running a wheat harvesting campaign. Wheat was planted on 666.6 hectares. Since harvesting resumed, 172.53 hectares have been harvested, leaving about 494 hectares still standing. Persistent rainfall has slowed progress, as some fields remain flooded and inaccessible.

Ms. Mphanya noted that harvesting initially relied on one combine harvester. Last week, three additional combine harvesters were deployed to support operations. This is expected to accelerate harvesting and reduce delays.

According to the Agriculture Department, wheat harvesting is expected to be completed by early February. This will allow farmers to begin soil preparation for the winter cropping season.

Berea remains one of Lesotho’s key lowland districts with extensive arable land. The progress recorded during this season highlights both the district’s agricultural potential and the ongoing impact of weather conditions on crop production.