Bereng Mpaki
THE Lesotho National Wool and Mohair Growers Association (LNWMGA) says it is delighted to have resuscitated the previously abandoned Mokhotlong Sheep Stud.
The LNWMGA said this at the recent handover of the sheep breeding facility that had been dormant for several years. The LNWMGA said the project is key in enhancing wool and mohair productivity in the country.
The facility was handed over to the farmers by the Ministry of Agriculture on a 20-year sub-lease.
The initiative is of the Ministry of Agriculture’s Wool and Mohair Promotion Project (WAMPP), which is meant to assist wool and mohair producers to lessen the negative effects of climate change on their production.
Broken down into three complementary components, the project addresses challenges in the wool and mohair value chain in rangeland management, merino sheep and angora goat production and management and wool and mohair processing and marketing.
The project is implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of Forestry, Range and Soil Conservation for the implementation of the rangeland management component, with the Ministry of Small Business Development handling the wool and mohair processing and marketing component.
The initiative is being funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD); the Adaptation for Smallholder Agricultural Programme (ASAP); the OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID); the government and the LNWMGA to the tune of M500 million.
LNWMGA chairperson Mokuenihi Thinyane told the Lesotho Times said they are delighted to have resuscitated the facility.
“We are happy that the government has finally leased this facility to us as it will help us improve our wool and mohair production,” Mr Thinyane said.
“Before WAMPP came along, we tried unsuccessfully to get permission from the government to use the centre because it was being wasted…however, thanks to WAMPP, we are happy that we finally have access to the facility.”
He said the facility would reduce capital flight through the importation of angora goats and merino sheep to improve breed quality.
“We spend around M30 million per annum to import livestock, but through operation of this centre, we are hoping end that in the next three years.”
Mr Thinyane said they have already had 150 ewes and rams that will soon be ready for the market at the Quthing breeding facility. A similar handover was done in 2017 for the Quthing facility.
He said the Mokhotlong facility, which sits on 706 hectares, would start breeding with initial 200 ewes and 5 rams. The farmers were also given modern farming and breeding equipment as part of the project. The farming equipment is to be used for production of animal feed in the centre.
Professor Ntoi Rapapa, who spoke on behalf of the Prime Minister Thomas Thabane, said the government is keen to improve economic growth through agriculture.
“In its National Strategic Development Plan (NSDP II), the government identified agriculture as one of the critical sectors it can use drive inclusive economic growth and create better employment opportunities.
“This handover rs is therefore in realisation of that plan,” Prof Rapapa said.
Acting Minister of Agriculture Mokoto Hloaele said that empowering the private sector to increase economic activity in the country augurs well with the drive for economic growth and the much-needed job creation.
