By: Mpho Shelile
MASERU
Agriculture has long been the cornerstone of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region’s economies, contributing to employment, food security, and rural development.
However, the region faces ongoing challenges, such as food and nutrition insecurity, malnutrition, and fluctuating agricultural productivity.
To address these challenges, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security, and Nutrition (MAFSN) in collaboration with APPSA-Lesotho, organised a four-day APPSA 2ND scientific conference under theme, “Investing in Agricultural Research for Sustained Economic Growth in the SADC Region.”
The conference underscored the transformative potential of agricultural research and its pivotal role in driving economic prosperity, food security, and sustainable development within the region.
In his opening remarks, Honourable Thabo Mofosi, the Minister of Agriculture, Food Security, and Nutrition, emphasised the urgent need for agricultural innovation. He revealed the alarming statistics of malnutrition in the region, with an estimated 18.7 million children suffering from hunger.
“This is a crisis that not only affects the well-being of our children today but has far-reaching consequences on their future potential,” said Mofosi. He called upon scientists and researchers to focus on finding sustainable and scalable solutions to alleviate food scarcity and ensure long-term food security.
A significant highlight of the conference was the research being conducted on soybean and its potential to address nutritional deficiencies in the region. Dr. Pulane Nkhabutlane from the National University of Lesotho (NUL) shared exciting developments in the promotion of soybean as a staple food.
“Soybeans, known for their high protein content, are increasingly being introduced to Basotho households as a nutritious and affordable food option,” she said.
Dr. Nkhabutlane and her team have been working tirelessly to educate communities about the numerous benefits of incorporating soybeans into their diets. “Soybeans are rich in essential nutrients and offer a sustainable solution to improve nutrition,” Dr. Nkhabutlane explained in an interview with Informative Newspaper.
She highlighted that soybean can be used in various traditional dishes such as bread, porridge, pap, lipabi, bread, and biscuits. With its high protein and nutritional value, soybean has the potential to play a significant role in combating malnutrition and improving food security in Lesotho and the broader SADC region.
“I encourage Basotho to plant soybeans in their homes and incorporate them into their daily meals to improve their health and nutritional intake,” she added.
The conference also featured stories of smallholder farmers who have benefitted from agricultural research and initiatives like those by APPSA-Lesotho. Mrs. Matente Khethisa, a farmer and beneficiary of the APPSA project, shared how agricultural research and training have helped her improve her farming practices.
Before joining the programme, Mrs. Khethisa struggled with onion farming, unaware of the proper techniques for planting, fertilizing, and harvesting. Thanks to the support of APPSA, she has gained valuable skills that have transformed her farming business.
“I used to struggle with growing onions, but APPSA has taught me everything I need to know, from selecting the right fertilizers to understanding the best times for planting and harvesting,” Mrs. Khethisa said. “Now, I’m able to grow onions successfully, and my business has grown significantly.” Her success story is a testament to the power of agricultural research in improving productivity and promoting economic growth in rural areas.
The APPSA 2nd Scientific Conference also highlighted the importance of collaboration, funding, and knowledge-sharing among governments, research institutions, and private sector stakeholders. Investing in agricultural research and fostering partnerships across the SADC region is essential to unlocking the full potential of agriculture.
By prioritising research, innovation, and capacity-building, the region can create more sustainable farming systems, improve productivity, and ensure food security for millions.
“The future of agriculture in the SADC region depends on our collective commitment to research and innovation,” said Hon. Mofosi. “Governments must invest in research to create solutions that will address current challenges and future demands. Only through collaboration can we achieve lasting success in the agricultural sector.”