Maseru, May 28 — A delegation comprising Principal Secretaries, deputy principal secretaries and other senior government officials has concluded a two-day guided tour of community-led livelihood development initiatives in Berea District, expressing admiration for the communities’ commitment towards promoting food security and improved nutrition.

The high-level steering committee visited the district under the Lesotho Nutrition and Health System Strengthening Project. Among the initiatives toured were the Kepi Government Primary School gardening project, Morobo-robo Nutrition Club and Semana Beekeeping Farm.

Speaking during the visit, Deputy Principal Secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office, Mr. Ts’eliso Lesenya, said nutrition requires coordinated multi-sectoral efforts involving both government and non-governmental stakeholders.

Mr. Lesenya noted that nutrition plays a fundamental role in building human capital, promoting economic growth, reducing poverty and strengthening national resilience.

He said ministries such as Education, Health and Agriculture, together with other stakeholders, continue to play a critical role in addressing food insecurity, promoting healthy lifestyles and combating malnutrition.

“When it comes to stunting, ministries such as Education, Health and Agriculture are highly involved in advocating for quality education, healthy living and improved nutrition,” he said.

Mr. Lesenya further highlighted that His Majesty King Letsie III serves as the African Nutrition Champion, adding that the country has a responsibility to lead by example in nutrition and food security initiatives.

The Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Education and Training, Mr. Rats’iu Majara, commended Kepi primary school for complementing the school feeding programme through its gardening project.

Mr. Majara encouraged the school to inspire neighbouring schools to adopt similar food production initiatives, describing school feeding programmes as important in improving learners’ wellbeing and academic performance.

Reflecting on the work of Morobo-robo Nutrition Club, he applauded members for working in unity and for their vision, especially in food processing initiatives.

Meanwhile, the Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Nutrition, Mr. Khothatso Ts’ooana, said the ministry was impressed by the gardening project and committed to deploy experts to assess possible areas for intervention and further development.

Mr. Ts’ooana said the government wants to see the projects expand to a level where they can supply produce to schools and surrounding communities.

He added that the initiatives demonstrate strong support for His Majesty King Letsie III’s campaign on nutrition issues across Africa.

“Continue to lead by example, invite others and intensify education on good nutrition,” he said.

Briefing the delegation on the school gardening project, Kepi Government Primary School Principal, Ms. Ema Lekhanya, said the initiative was established two years ago after the school experienced shortages of protein-rich food items such as beans and peas in food aid supplies.

She explained that the school decided to cultivate vegetables to improve the diet of its 358 pupils, noting that many children come from different socio-economic backgrounds, making the school feeding programme crucial.

Ms. Lekhanya said the vegetable project has since become a source of income for the school as produce is sold to the company responsible for feeding pupils. The income generated has also enabled the school to establish a piggery project aimed at diversifying food production.

However, she appealed for support in the form of shade nets, irrigation systems, farming inputs and gardening tools to ensure sustainability of the project.

Representing Morobo-robo Nutrition Club, Mrs. Malebohang Thoahlane said climate change remains a major challenge affecting their gardening, food preservation and poultry projects.

She noted that recent rainy weather conditions negatively affected their dried fruit production, while lack of reliable markets and financial support continue to hinder growth.

Despite the challenges, Mrs. Thoahlane expressed gratitude to extension officers for their continued technical guidance and support.

On behalf of Semana Bee Keeping Farm, Mrs. Mamoiphepi Letsie said bee farming plays a vital role socially, environmentally and economically despite being underestimated by many people.

Mrs. Letsie, who was recently honoured during National Bee Celebration Day in Qacha’s Nek, said honey products can be used to produce cosmetics, medicines and nutritious food products.

She added that bee keeping is among the cheapest businesses to establish and that demand for honey and related products remains high.

Mrs. Letsie appealed for support in the form of additional bee hives to help expand the project and create employment opportunities.

She also revealed plans to conduct awareness campaigns in schools and communities to educate people about the importance and benefits of bees.

Representing the Department of Agriculture, Food Security and Nutrition, Mrs. Mamphanya Lehloenya said the department has intensified campaigns aimed at supporting schools with climate-smart agricultural plots.

One of the community leaders from Ha-Mateka Electoral Division, Mr. Tshabalala Hlabathe, commended local farmers for representing the area well, saying such visits motivate communities to work harder.

The stakeholders’ engagement meeting was attended by representatives from various sectors including Natural Resources, Health, Trade, Gender, Education and the Food and Nutrition Coordinating Office (FNCO).