THEIR MAJESTIES & PM TOUR AGRIC SHOW
	Maseru, June 09 - Their Majesties King Letsie III and Queen 'Masenate Mohato Seeiso as well as the Prime Minister Mr Pakalitha Mosisili toured stalls at the annual national agricultural show on Thursday. Also touring the stalls were cabinet ministers, members of parliament, senior government officials and heads of diplomatic missions. The King and his entourage had an opportunity to view a variety of exhibits ranging from livestock, crops, handicrafts, leather works, solar equipment and processed agricultural products. Exhibitors included farmers and entrepreneurs from around the country, traders, non governmental organizations, dealers and processors of agricultural inputs, young farmers clubs, women's groups and schools. Speaking at the national agriculture show, the Principal Secretary for the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Mrs ‘Mamoruti Malie called on farmers to engage intensively in commercial farming in order to fight poverty, adding that for commercial farming to succeed, farmers should produce in bulk and sell their products to local traders. She pointed that at present, the Ministries of Agriculture and Trade are working jointly to assist farmers in that endeavour, and to get the market in the country with the purpose of eradicating poverty and reaching sustainable food security. In an interview one of the crop farmers from Thaba-Tseka, Mr. Likolete Seoka said he decided to engage himself in the production of vegetables, beans and peas in order to win a battle against hunger adding that he had obtained first prize with his products at the district show that was held in preparation for the national one. Furthermore one of the farmers on behalf of the Mokhotlong district, Mrs. 'Mamonatsi Monatsi explained that their crops were not as good as that of the previous year because they have been affected by early frost. 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. Presentation of prizes to winning exhibitors was expected to be on Saturday, at the end of the show.
	Source: LENA