Maseru, June 08 - The Assistant Minister in the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security Mr Ts'eole Molise says Lesotho's economy is dependent on agriculture hence there is a need for the sector to be improved.

Officially opening the annual agriculture show held at Ha Foso in Maseru on Wednesday, the Assistant Minister commended the farmers on an improvement in this year’s exhibits despite more drought and heavy rains they experienced, adding that crop yield is likely to be high in the coming Winter and Summer cropping due to the abundance of moist left by the snow and rain.

He encouraged farmers to utilize the national show as an opportunity to exchange ideas and experiences on how to produce quality products under different climate conditions so as to increase the much needed food security to vulnerable households through agriculture.

Mr. Ts'eole commended the non-governmental organizations who worked hard to make the annual event a success, saying that this shows that Basotho recognize the role that agriculture plays in the fight against poverty and in boosting the country's economy.

In an interview, the Chairperson of the National Agriculture Show Committee Mr. Mphutlane Kulehile urged farmers to consider pricing as important in marketing their products, saying high prices repel local people from buying.

He appealed to the Ministry of Agriculture to assist farmers with methods and ways that would enable them to improve agriculture in the country.

The national agricultural show is a culmination of area and district based exhibitions aimed at promoting available produce, motivating farmers and creating awareness of the local production capacity and to sell the products.

The expected results of the event include provision of an opportunity to put across new research results to farmers, use of new technology and creating business opportunities.

The exhibits displayed are locally produced by farmers and entrepreneurs around the country, traders, non governmental organizations, dealers and processors of agricultural inputs, young farmers clubs and schools.