Maseru __ Food grain storage facility, which was earlier handed over to the government by the People's Republic of China, will be among the projects that will be implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Nutrition with the M1.1 billion allocated.

This, was said by the Minister of Agriculture, Food Security and Nutrition Mr. Thabo Mofosi in an interview with Agency, following the presentation of 2026/2027 budget estimates by the Minister of Finance and Development Planning Dr. Rets'elisitsoe Matlanyane during the joint sitting of Parliament on Wednesday.

Mr. Mofosi said the storage will operate after food harvest from farmers and is expected to create jobs as youth unemployment remains high.

In her presentation, Dr. Matlanyane said the M1.1 billion allocation has been earmarked for agriculture to strengthen food security, raise productivity, and support sustainable farming systems, saying expenditure in 2026/2027 will prioritise food production, irrigation development, livestock protection and strengthening key agricultural value chains.

She said to improve crop production, the government will support share-cropping blocks through subsidised agricultural machinery, including equipment procured from China and Korea to expand cultivated land and improve efficiency.

"The Maseru Storage and Logistics Facility will be fully operational to strengthen national grain reserves and post-harvest management" she added, saying the government will establish irrigation schemes to support climate resilient agriculture.

She indicated that the allocation will also finance a free national vaccination programme to safeguard livestock, adding that the Merino Breeding Programme and upgrading of the Quthing Artificial Insemination Facility, including installation of a Liquid Nitrogen Plant, to improve fibre productivity and rural incomes will continue to be supported through the money allocated.

Agriculture is regarded as one of the main sectors that contributes towards Lesotho's economy.