By: Mpho Shelile
MASERU
The Improving Adaptive Capacity of Vulnerable and Food-Insecure Populations (IACoV) project recently hosted a three-day event to mark the conclusion of its transformative five-year journey, which has benefited over 10,000 families across Lesotho.
The initiative has played an important role in addressing climate change challenges and strengthening food security.
The event provided an opportunity to reflect on the strides made in fostering climate resilience and promoting sustainable development nationwide.
Since its inception, IACoV has focused on empowering communities, particularly those in rural and vulnerable areas, to adapt to the realities of climate change and food security.
Through a combination of capacity-building, infrastructure development, and climate-smart agricultural practices, the project has significantly enhanced household resilience while improving food security in the Mafeteng, Mohale’s Hoek, and Quthing districts.
Speaking at the event, representatives from the World Food Programme (WFP) and the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security, and Nutrition emphasised the need for long-term adaptation strategies to mitigate the growing threats posed by climate change.
Minister of Agriculture, Food Security, and Nutrition, Hon. Thabo Mofosi, commended the collaborative efforts of all stakeholders involved in the project.
He also announced the establishment of a new food-testing laboratory aimed at ensuring that locally produced agricultural goods meet quality standards before reaching the market.
The new facility will allow Basotho farmers to test their produce within the country, eliminating reliance on external testing facilities. Mofosi further urged Basotho citizens to stay informed on climate-related developments through various media sources, including radio, television, and newspapers.
In an interview with Informative newspaper, WFP Deputy Country Director Emily Doe underscored the urgent reality of climate change and its far-reaching impact.
“Climate change is no longer a distant threat, it is here, affecting our people, our food systems, and our economy,” she said.
Doe noted that food insecurity affects nearly 300,000 people in Lesotho annually, exacerbated by climate-related disasters that deepen existing vulnerabilities.
She stressed the importance of a co-ordinated approach to preparedness and response, advocating for interventions that are both community-driven and government-led.
Additionally, she pointed out that Lesotho’s heavy reliance on food imports reflects declining agricultural productivity which, in turn, negatively impacts the nation’s economic performance.
IACoV project coordinator, Nkopo Matsepe, reflected on the success of the programme’s first phase, during which WFP generously contributed US$10 million (about 190 million maloti). Due to the effective utilization of these funds, the sponsor provided an additional US$10 million to kick-start the second phase of the project.
Matsepe explained that the second phase, which will span approximately five years, will expand to include the district of Thaba Tseka, following government recommendations.
Highlighting the achievements of the initial phase, Matsepe noted that the project successfully distributed seeds to farmers, launched capacity-building initiatives to educate Basotho on climate change, and introduced school feeding programmes.
Additionally, IACoV collaborated with media institutions to enhance climate change reporting and procured a seed bank machine for the Ministry of Agriculture. This initiative aims to preserve indigenous trees while discouraging the cultivation of foreign species.