Moroke Sekoboto
MINISTER of Agriculture, Food Security and Nutrition, Thabo Mofosi, has called on the private sector to explore the underdeveloped aquaculture and fisheries sector, noting its potential to drive economic growth and create jobs.
Speaking at a two-day fisheries and aquaculture governance framework validation workshop at Mpilo Hotel yesterday, Mr Mofosi said the government intends to leverage developments in the water sector — both in the highlands and lowlands — to foster a sustainable, inclusive and globally competitive aquaculture industry.
Mr Mofosi said, for many years, the sector played only a marginal role in national economic development, adding that government is determined to change that narrative.
“Today marks an important milestone in the development of aquaculture and fisheries in Lesotho. For many years this sector played only a marginal role in our national economy.
“When we look into our history, fisheries were not developed as part of the agricultural agenda, but rather to entertain colonial officials who viewed our rivers as suitable for sport fishing. It is for this reason that the introduction of trout was driven not by the Ministry of Agriculture but by the personal interests of senior officers in the colonial police services.
“The trout we find in our rivers today were transported from Natal in the late 1930s by the police. With regard to aquaculture, significant public investments were made in the 1990s, including the establishment of the Maseru hatchery and its extensive infrastructure.”
He said trials with common carp and African catfish conducted during that period showed promise and laid the foundation for a small subsistence aquaculture industry. Unfortunately, the industry never matured into a viable commercial enterprise, and the collapse of the state hatchery ultimately brought the fragile sector to a standstill.
“For nearly 30 years, the government’s fishery foundation has essentially been a one-person unit. This alone reflects the limited public support the sector has received. It is therefore not surprising that aquaculture development remains stagnant, despite opportunities created through major water sector investments, particularly the construction of dams,” Mr Mofosi said.
He highlighted that today Lesotho exports significant volumes of trout to the international market. He added that private sector investment in the Katse Dam has demonstrated what is possible when the right coordination and incentives align.
Mr Mofosi expressed gratitude to the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) for providing critical decision support, information and a platform for policy dialogue that has enabled the government to recognise opportunities within the fisheries and aquaculture sector.
He said the policy frameworks developed through this collaboration have shifted the country from a colonial legacy, where fisheries served mainly elite sport interests, to a modern vision that sees aquaculture as a strategic opportunity for job creation, investment and inclusive growth.
“We intend to leverage developments in the water sector both in the highlands and lowlands to foster a sustainable, inclusive and globally competitive aquaculture industry. Our engagement with FAO has reinforced the message that aquaculture in Lesotho should not be the exclusive domain of large multinational companies.”
He also said there was room for small-scale players, especially in the lowlands.
“I am confident that the potential of this value chain will become evident in the coming months, as selected lowlands fish farmers have received mentoring and technical support. We now have an aquaculture and fishery policy, an aquaculture strategy, an aquatic animal health strategy and an aquaculture training curriculum. These instruments place us firmly on a path toward commercial development of the aquaculture industry,” Mr Mofosi said.
