The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Daniel Rakoro Phororo, says farmers should strive to
work together to eradicate poverty in the country. The Minister was speaking to farmers at a meeting held at Setsoto Stadium on Wednesday.

Dr. Phororo said the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security is currently formulating a new subsidy policy to assist small farmers. He further, said that poverty situation in Lesotho is mainly caused by rampant theft on agricultural products, and "we are formulating a draft that would stop this theft of agricultural products in the
country.' he remarked.

The Minister also congratulated various farmers' associations, namely Basotho Poultry Farmers Association (BAPOFA), TEMO HOLDINGS and Machobane Farmers Association for organising this meeting between him as the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security and the farmers.

Speaking at the same occasion the Minister of Forestry and Land Reclamation, Mr. Lincoln 'Mokose appealed to farmers to plant more trees for purposes of land reclamation and to  stop soil erosion. He told the farmers to take care of the land and, said if the land is well protected the farmers would be able to use it to produce more
food.

He further explained that the Ministry of Forestry and Land Reclamation is contemplating using National University of Lesotho (NUL) Agricultural students to conduct study researche in forestry so that, "we could know better, which trees should be planted in our environment and which ones are not needed." He added.
The occasion was attended by other various cabinet Ministers and  senior government officials.


16 April 2003