Tokelo Rasephei
THE government of China this week donated farming inputs comprising seeds and fertilisers to farmers in Thaba Bosiu through the China-Lesotho People to People Friendship Action Fund.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, the Chinese Ambassador to Lesotho, Dr Sun Xianghua said his government was happy to provide support to strengthen agricultural production as food and nutrition security is essential for the wellbeing of any country.
“The Government of China has been providing food assistance to Lesotho for many years. This assistance has gone towards helping communities affected by drought and HIV and AIDS patients. In some cases, we have used the food assistance to support resilience building activities to help communities prepare for future climatic shocks,” Dr Xianghua said.
He said the Government of China has also identified agriculture as one area of focus in their assistance programmes to Africa.
This is because, he added, agriculture is critical in the development of the economy, as a sector that can also generate employment and end poverty.
Last year China provided M38 million worth of food assistance to support people affected by the El-Nino-induced drought.
“This year we are going to provide more food assistance worth M40 million to again support efforts by the government to strengthen its programmes aiming to end hunger and ensure economic and social development.”
According to Dr Xianghua the first batch of the M40 million worth of food, amounting to 1000 tons were received in Maseru on Friday last week.
“It is our wish to continue collaborating with the Government of Lesotho in various areas to strengthen our friendship and together create a better future for the China-Lesotho friendship,” Dr Xianghua said.
Speaking at the same ceremony, the Director of Operations and Community Development in the Ministry of Social Development, Mr Refuoe Pakela said the Government of Lesotho is happy to be associated with partners such as China.
As Lesotho’s partner for many years, China heed the call by the government for partnerships in its drive towards increasing food production.
“Lesotho is happy to note that the Government of China will this year continue supporting the agriculture and food sector to help enhance food security in the country,” Mr Pakela said.
He said to address poverty and food insecurity, the Ministry of Social Development works with other ministries and partners including Agriculture and Food Security and Trade and Industry; and the United Nations.
Mr Pakela said the collaboration is aimed at ensuring sectors targeting vulnerability are strengthened, particularly in the areas of food security and social protection. “We would like to see a significant number of people currently dependent on government support graduating from being vulnerable to becoming self-sufficient. Therefore, we will make sure that the donated agriculture inputs will be put to good use.” Mr Pakela said.
