Agribusiness News (2026)

22/01/2026

MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE FACES SHORTAGE OF LUMPY MEDICATION

Maseru, Jan. 22 --- The Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Nutrition has run out of lumpy skin medication which was collected from unaffected districts and distributed to affected ones a few days ago.

The Ministry’s Chief Information Officer Mr. Lereko Masupha told the Agency in an interview that the rate of infection for this disease is continuing to increase, thus the Ministry had to distribute the medication to most affected areas while it awaits the new one.

“The Ministry is in the process of purchasing lumpy skin medication and will distribute it immediately when it is available” he said.

Meanwhile the Minister of Agriculture, Food Security and Nutrition Mr. Thabo Mofosi, earlier at the press conference disclosed that about 448 cattle have been infected with this disease and 19 have died.

He said that the disease was reported in the districts of Leribe, Berea, Botha-Bothe, Maseru, Mafeteng, Mohale’s Hoek and Thaba- Tseka, saying it has so far not been reported in Quthing, Qacha’s Nek and Mokhotlong.

He added that the Ministry has already made a work plan and veterinary doctors will be deployed at most affected areas and vaccinate cattle to minimize the risk and spread of this disease, appealing to the public to refrain from eating livestock which was ill.

Meanwhile reports indicate that 33 cattle were affected in Berea, Leribe 142, Botha-Bothe 36, Maseru 63, Mafeteng 45, Mohale’s Hoek 28 and Thaba- Tseka one.

SOURCE : Lesotho News Agency,LENA.

15/01/2026

THE WAIT FOR VETERINARY EPIDEMIOLOGIST CONTINUES

MASERU - Although Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) Multi-Sectoral Task Team has been established, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Nutrition still awaits the presence of a Veterinary Epidemiologist, who will lead the team so that it could function effectively.

This was said by the Ministry’s Director Veterinary Field Operations Dr. Mookho Ntiea when stating progress on the establishment of the task team.

She disclosed that the team was established before Christmas holidays and has already convened to draft terms of reference.

However, she said it cannot operate without a Veterinary Epidemiologist as such a person has capacity to amongst others, track, find patterns and causes of spread of livestock diseases.

The FMD Multi-Sectoral Task Team was established as the strategic government initiative to combat FMD, which is reported to be increasing in some neighbouring countries and pose a threat to Lesotho due to her geographical location, trade and cross border movement amongst others.

It comprises the Ministry of Agriculture as Chair. Ministry of Defence and National Security; Local Government, Chieftainship, Home Affairs and Police; Trade and Industry; Disaster Management Authority (DMA) ; Finance and Development Planning, Farmers Associations and Border Control Agencies” she mentioned.

The role of the Ministry of Agriculture will be to provide technical leadership on animal health and FMD control, serve as secretariat and coordinator of the task team as well as to coordinate surveillance, diagnostics, stamping out and vaccination planning. In addition, security and border agencies will provide enforcement of animal movement controls, strengthen border surveillance and patrols as well as to assist in rapid response during outbreaks or high-risk situations.

Moreover, DMA and Finance will coordinate emergency preparedness and response logistics as well as to facilitate mobilisation of resources for preparedness and response.

The country has since banned the importation of livestock and unprocessed meat from South Africa and traders are importing from Namibia and Botswana.

Source : Lesotho News Agency

07/01/2026

COCCIDIOSIS : LETS'OLLO LA LIKHOHO

Coccidiosis is one of the dreaded diseases in poultry.

The truth is, coccidiosis is just always present with your chicks. Whether it is treated or not, it always remains there waiting for an opportunity to wipe out your entire flock.

Most of the signs of coccidiosis are visible which makes it treatable if diagnosed on time and avoid mortalities. However, you can only know these signs of symptoms when you check on your birds often and pays attention to their feeding habit, their p**p consistency and their general appearance.

Early sign of coccidiosis is visible food particles in their p**p.

Note: at some points when your birds over feeds, it is possible to see some undigested food particles in their feed but, when it is becoming too much like all you see is food particles when they p**p, coccidiosis is creeping in.
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It is very vital to know that coccidiosis is an intestinal disease that causes digestive imbalance and may even result to severe abdominal pains leading to avoidance of food, indigestion and bleeding in the intestine in severe cases.

Some coccidia cases may also involve greenish p**p but this is immediately after the bloody p**p. This is the most fatal stage.

Article by: Agribusiness Network Lesotho

05/01/2026

MISTAKES TO AVOID IN FARMING

10 Shocking Mistakes People Make When Entering The Farming Space.

1. BUILDING A MANSION AT THE FARM
- you do not need a fancy house when starting your farming enterprise unless you intend to set up an unproductive rural home. Let business lead not comfort and pride to show off on Facebook.

2. STARTING BIG WITHOUT EXPERIENCE
- only the grave starts on top, every other thing starts small. Starting small is not a weakness but a strategy. There are too many advantages of starting small.

3. PRODUCING WITHOUT MARKET
- it's safer to 'produce for the market, than to market the produce'. That's one of the advantages of starting small. Let the real customer guide you. The market is your greatest teacher.

4. WORKING ON ASSUMPTIONS
- untested assumptions are very costly. Never put a big budget on assumptions. Thank me later!

5. HIRING UNQUALIFIED AND NEAREST PEOPLE
- only a fool will entrust an M5m investment in the hands of an inexperienced relative. If farming is a business, then get trained people. Never hire anyone you can't fire! Unless it's urgent avoid relatives! Hire the best you can and don't trust them.!

6. SETTING TOO SHORT TIME FRAMES
- farming is not a get-rich-quick-scheme. This is the reason many backyard broiler farmers never make any money. Although broilers are ready in 6 weeks, your money is usually ready after 2 years of consistency. Get in with a plan to evaluate at least 3 times in 5 years! Anything less will not give you an informed perspective.

7. INVESTING IN INFRASTRUCTURE WITHOUT PRODUCTION
- your business is farming not buildings. Invest in stock not structures. If possible have temporary structures for your goats or chickens. Too many people build structures for 100k and buy stock (like chickens) for 5k. Very unwise! Start with the cheapest or free structures but with the best breeds/variety of what you want to grow!

8. WORKING WITHOUT PLAN
- where do you intend to take the farming business to in 5, 10 or 50 years. I have a 100 year plan that my children know where they come in. They know that the harvest of my efforts might come during their time and we are ok with it. How big do intend to grow? Which markets are you pursuing, when? How will you know when you get there? ETC.

9. LACK OF FOCUS
- copying what everyone is doing. Changing from time to time! Focus on a few, grow and dominate the sector. Competition is not healthy, seek to control a sector. Have laser focus on a few things. If possible specialize! Be a reference point for one particular thing.

10. REMOTE FARMING 🧺
- others call it cellphone farming. Once you decide to farm, be willing to divorce city life. Go to town only to buy buildings and to collect rental money! The master's eye fattens the sheep! Don't come to the farm and talk to your workers from a car and go back. Never come drunk! Have a set of gumboots, overalls and get to see things for yourself. Keep a separate set of records handy! Arrive sometimes unannounced! . Control major points like vaccinations etc.

Consultant Ephias from Agribusiness News

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01/01/2026

Happy New Year

01/01/2026

Planning is the cornerstone of successful farming operations, encompassing a wide array of considerations that span from crop selection and land management to financial forecasting and risk mitigation. Effective planning in farming is crucial for maximizing yields, optimizing resources, mitigating risks, and ensuring sustainability. Here's an in-depth exploration of the importance of planning in farming:

1. CROP SELECTION AND ROTATION: Planning enables farmers to choose appropriate crops based on factors such as soil type, climate, market demand, and crop rotation requirements. Rotating crops helps maintain soil fertility, control pests and diseases, and reduce the risk of yield loss due to factors like soil depletion or pest infestations.

2. LAND MANAGEMENT:
Farmers must plan how to utilize their land efficiently, considering factors such as irrigation methods, soil conservation practices, and land zoning regulations. Effective land management strategies can help prevent soil erosion, improve water retention, and minimize environmental impact.

3. RESOURCE ALLOCATION:
Planning involves optimizing the allocation of resources such as labor, machinery, fertilizers, and pesticides. By strategically allocating resources, farmers can minimize waste, reduce production costs, and improve overall efficiency.

4. FINANCIAL PLANNING:
Farming is a business, and like any business, it requires careful financial planning. Farmers need to budget for expenses such as seed, equipment maintenance, fuel, labor, and marketing. Financial planning also involves forecasting income based on projected yields and market prices, as well as managing cash flow to ensure that expenses are covered throughout the growing season.

5. RISK MANAGEMENT:
Farming is inherently risky, with factors such as weather variability, pest and disease outbreaks, and market fluctuations posing significant threats to crop yields and profitability. Planning allows farmers to https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va

23/12/2025

Agribusiness News

09/12/2025

Botswana Government puts an embargo on vegetables

08/12/2025

At Agribusiness News, we believe in empowering our farmers with sustainable practices that not only boost productivity but also protect our planet. Here are five essential tips:

1. Crop Rotation: Rotate your crops each season to improve soil health and reduce pest infestations. This helps maintain nutrient levels and reduces the reliance on chemical fertilizers.

2. Cover Cropping: Utilize cover crops to prevent soil erosion, enhance biodiversity, and improve soil quality. These crops act as a natural mulch and can suppress weeds.

3. Water Conservation: Implement drip irrigation or rainwater harvesting systems to enhance water efficiency. Every drop counts, and conserving water helps sustain your farming operations.

4. Integrated Pest Management (IPM): Use a combination of biological control, habitat manipulation, and resistant varieties to manage pests sustainably, minimizing chemical pesticide usage.

5. Composting: Recycle organic waste by creating compost. This enriches soil health, reduces waste, and cuts down on the need for synthetic fertilizers.

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08/12/2025

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26/10/2025

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16/08/2025

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