His Majesty King Letsie III has called on the nation to diligently engage in farming and food production with a view to attain food security and rid the country of the beggar label it is known for.

His Majesty said this in his annual end of year address to the nation, on Monday.

He noted that after protracted drought, the country saw a turn around of fortunes with the down pours experienced since September, which many people took advantage of.

He said others have however failed to capitalise on the rains and as a result many fields in some parts of the country continue to lie bare. This, he said, does not augur well for the country's efforts to lift itself out of hunger and to shed the beggar's tag.

His Majesty added that the 2006 census report released this year shows a decline in the population of Lesotho.

He said this is attributable to, among others, loss of lives inflicted by the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

He noted with concern that the high death caused by the pandemic is testimony that people are still reluctant to go for voluntary counselling and testing, and consequently are unable to access treatment.

He therefore appealed to the people to utilise the services provided by testing and treatment centres, adding that anti-retroviral therapy is available at no cost.

His Majesty King Letsie III concluded by wishing the Basotho nation a happy and prosperous new year, urging everyone to uphold at all times the greatest commandment of God, which says 'Love your neighbour like you love yourself.'

Source: LENA 31/12/2007