By: Puseletso Maqoaelane
Maseru
Dr. Sam Molete, representing the Siyakhula Group under the “Kingdom Herbs Grow” project, continues to make strides across Lesotho by offering essential training to Basotho in sustainable agricultural practices. His focus is on equipping local communities with herb cultivation, care, harvesting, processing, and value addition knowledge.
Through hands-on workshops and strategic knowledge–sharing, Dr. Molete is addressing the challenges surrounding herb farming by teaching local farmers modern methods of herb production and processing. This includes exploring the potential of local spices and medicinal plants to improve livelihoods while preserving traditional practices.
His initiative targets agricultural techniques and innovative ways to add value to harvested herbs for market competitiveness.
The project has garnered significant attention for its potential to create opportunities for both employment and sustainable economic growth.
Dr. Molete has highlighted the growing opportunities within the market for herb-based spices, emphasizing that they are in high demand both locally and internationally. According to Dr.Shale, these spices crafted from natural herbs are proving to be highly profitable commodities across borders, offering opportunities for farmers, and entrepreneurs.
One key example he cites is Makhoboso Shale, a popular spice made from herbs that has already gained traction in markets like Malaysia and other countries. She had been traveling across these international markets in recent weeks, showcasing the product’s versatility and demand.
Dr.Sam believes that this success serves as clear evidence of the opportunities that exist in this market. The demand for herb-based spices continues to grow due to versatility in cooking and other perceived benefits. With the right skills, knowledge, and training, Basotho can take advantage of these opportunities and position itself in this lucrative market.
The inspiring feedback from Mathabo ‘Malehi and Mamositi Ramosena serves as a testament to the value and potential of this specialized training. Their journey demonstrates how knowledge, paired with local resources like herbs can lead to life-changing opportunities for financial independence and improved well-being.
Both women expressed that the training was more than just a lesson, it was a revelation. They said they had known about herbs in their environment but had never considered the possibility of turning them into financial opportunities until the session introduced them to Makhoboso Shale.
Now, they see a clear path forward, combining their knowledge of local herbs with new strategies for market entry.