Thoboloko Ntšonyane
MASERU – The global food system reportedly faces many challenges, not least of which is the inequality experienced by women who play a critical role in agriculture.
A new initiative, Commit to Grow Equality, aims to address this issue by enhancing gender equality through targeted financing and partnerships. This effort is spearheaded by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) in concert with other stakeholders, including governments, the private sector, civil society, and multilateral agencies. The initiative calls for a focus on women’s empowerment to boost agrifood systems globally.
On October 16, the world commemorated World Food Day, highlighting a significant challenge global food insecurity. According to the FAO, an estimated 730 million people are facing hunger globally. Also, the data available indicate that more than 2.8 billion people struggle to afford a healthy diet, making food insecurity even more pressing.
It will be recalled that Prime Minister, Rt Hon Sam Matekane, officially declared a national food insecurity disaster, effective from 12 July 2024 until 31 March 2025, in response to the urgent need for assistance for 700,000 people facing severe food shortages.
The Prime Minister stated that this decision was prompted by a vulnerability assessment, which revealed that 700,000 individuals in Lesotho are grappling with severe food insecurity as a result of the El Niño-induced drought. “A national vulnerability study has shown that around 700,000 Basotho are currently suffering from food insecurity. This figure surpasses the 582,000 Basotho reported as food insecure during the 2023-2024 harvest season.”
It has been reported that women are central to agrifood systems, yet they are disproportionately affected by structural inequalities, social norms, and economic barriers.
There have been calls for them to be given equal access to resources and compensated fairly, not only would their lives improve, but their communities would benefit from reduced hunger and poverty, enhanced resilience, and more diverse diets. This global commitment aligns with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2 (Zero Hunger) and 5 (Gender Equality), which aim to eradicate hunger while promoting gender equality.
His Majesty King Letsie III, in his capacity as FAO Special Ambassador for Nutrition, has voiced support for this movement. At the World Food Forum 2023, he highlighted the role that gender equality plays in transforming agrifood systems.
Convened under the theme, ‘Good food for all, for today and tomorrow” the World Food Forum ran from October 14th to 18th.
The initiative encourages stakeholders to invest in women-led projects in agriculture, ensuring they have access to assets, resources, and services that are currently beyond their reach due to discriminatory practices. This focus on empowering women in agriculture could raise the incomes of an additional 58 million people and strengthen the resilience of 235 million globally, according to recent FAO findings.
As the world confronts growing food insecurity exacerbated by climate change, financing gender equality in agrifood systems has never been more critical. Tackling these challenges, the FAO said will not only boost economies but also lead to a more inclusive and sustainable future for all.
Research from FAO highlights that if women received the same support and resources as men, global agricultural output could increase significantly, reducing hunger and boosting resilience against climate change-induced shocks.
The initiative’s call for targeted investments in women’s empowerment goes beyond mere gender mainstreaming, urging stakeholders to commit to actions that transform agrifood systems.
A crop farmer from Leribe has raised concerns about the many challenges that need to be addressed to achieve food security in the country. Alucia Khatite highlighted issues, including pricing and the agricultural value chain, from the time crops are grown in the fields to when they are ready for the market.
One challenge she said it is that farmers often lack knowledge of the value chain and proper packaging techniques, which can result in crops, even when in good condition, rotting in the fields.
She also noted that some farmers struggle to secure the market for their produce. Khatite reflected on the times when the local farmers sought to maximize profits, particularly when borders are closed because local farmers had produced enough to supply the market, and the overpricing she said, still showed lack of appreciation of pricing on the part of some of the farmers.
However, she believes that focusing on sustainable farming practices, pricing, and a better understanding of market dynamics would ensure that the agricultural sector remains poised towards contributing to the nation’s food security.
Addressing the delegates at the recently concluded World Food Forum in Rome, FAO Director-General Dr Qu Dongyu talked of producing more with less, using technology and innovative practices. This he argued would increase efficiency, sustainability and resilience.
“By ensuring good food for today and tomorrow, we safeguard the right of food and uphold the right that food is the basic human right,” he said.
The World Trade Organization (WTO) Director-General Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala talked of challenges to global food security, including hunger, climate change, and trade distortions especially in Africa.
She pointed out that trade has contributed to food security adding that trade reform through the WTO could contribute in making agrifood systems more resilient and sustainable.
Another farmer from Mohale’s Hoek, who transitioned to full-time farming after resigning from her previous job, ‘Mamafole Rakuba is now engaged in the cultivation of various crops, including vegetables, potatoes, cabbages, tomatoes, beans, cucumbers, peppers, and butternut.
She commented on the efforts of the government, particularly through the Ministry of Agriculture, in providing extension workers who supervise and guide her, as well as subsidies on farming inputs. She also acknowledged the trainings that are conducted by both the Ministry and the NGOs that equip them with knowledge and necessary skills.
Rakuba however pointed out the need for further support, particularly in irrigation systems and resilience farming practices that can withstand varying weather conditions.
Having been part of a study tour to the South African province, Limpopo, where she observed best farming practices, she noted how the South African government helped farmers through protection of crops admist drought conditions.
She believes that similar support from the government, especially in the form of farming machinery, would greatly benefit local farmers. Currently, she plants and harvests her potatoes manually, without the aid of advanced techniques.
To achieve food security, she is of the view that more machinery is needed to assist with both planting and harvesting, improved irrigation systems, and a greater presence of extension officers to provide ongoing supervision and support to farmers across the country.
King Letsie III who is the FAO Goodwill Ambassador for Nutrition and a staunch advocate for food security, reinforced this commitment during his keynote at the World Food Forum.
“Additionally, food systems fail to provide adequate job opportunities for the youth, limiting their economic potential. While smallholder farmers are disproportionately affected by the lack of sufficient economic opportunities, to tackle these pressing issues a multi-faceted approach is essential focusing on private sector investment in agriculture, climate resilient practices and the development of the inclusive value chain,” said the King.