LESOTHO METEOROLOGY SERVICE (LMS) PREDICTS GOOD WEATHER FOR FARMERS IN NEXT SEASONS

The Lesotho Meteorology Services (LMS) has announced that the country will experience wet seasons between October this year and March next year and therefore advises farmers to start planting with the first rains that are expected from October, for the coming summer. The service predicts that the country will receive rainfalls ranging from normal to above normal categories during the seasons through out the country and therefore advises the crop farmers to select short season crops with high yielding potential, for those who will be ploughing in the highlands
and short to medium season crops, for those in the lowlands.

Speaking at a seasonal weather outlook forum held at the National Convention Center on Friday13 September,2002 the Agricultural Meteorologist for LMS, Mr.
Mokhele Moeketsi said excessive rains induce animal diseases and therefore encouraged livestock farmers to put in place dipping facilities in the coming seasons.
Mr Moeketsi further advised the stock farmers to maintain recommended population of animals to avoid over grazing on pastures as that will badly affect  the pastures during the wet seasons.

At the same forum, the LMS Climate Meteorologist, Ms Joalane Mphethi said  though the country will be having favorable climatic conditions for farmers during the coming two seasons, dry spells which might have a slide impact on agricultural production are expected in February next year. She also disclosed that a weak to moderate El-Nino effect  is expected at the end of this year and into the beginning of 2003 but that will not affect the expected rainfall pattern during that period.

Commenting on the predictions of LMS, the Chief Economic Planner for the Disaster Management, Ms Matseliso Mojaki said the services of LMS are important to them because through the metrological information that they get from LMS they are able to get themselves ready and prepared for any predicted weather related disasters, well ahead of their occurrences.

16 September,2002