‘Mantšali Phakoana
Farmer and founder of Transform Agribusiness Lesotho, Manko Manko has encouraged young people to take a leap of faith and start investing in agriculture to fight hunger and poverty.
Speaking with theReporter last week, Manko said it is high time the youth participate more in agriculture as it can help reduce the high unemployment rate in the country.
According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), the youth unemployment rate in Lesotho stood at 26.66 percent in 2022.
Manko noted that if young people are left without an alternative to unemployment and poverty, they were likely to take part in illegal activities as an alternative way of generating income.
Unemployment among the youth is associated with an increase in crimes such as robbery, drug, and murder.
He said he had lobbied youth from Manko village to venture into crop farming.
He further advised farmers to first identify markets before producing their goods so they do not waste their money and energy on products that would sometime be spoiled.
“It is crucial to know who you they are producing for,” Manko said, adding that one of his company’s roles is to transform and promote products from young farmers.
“We are a linkage between farmers and the market. We give young farmers exposure so that they do not end up incurring losses on their produce. We make them realise that agriculture can significantly contribute to economy of this country.
“The market is there but our young farmers need to be empowered and motivated through workshops. We need to ensure that they understand the cruciality of starting farming business, with the little that they have,” Manko indicated.
He also noted that today’s young people need many life skills to survive and agriculture is one of them.
Manko said even though access to capital and financing might be a limitation to most young people who would want to start farming, it is advisable to start with the little that they have.
Agriculture is an important source of employment and subsistence in Lesotho.
According to a World Bank report, more than 70 percent of Basotho dependent on agriculture for both food and income.
The sector has potential to increase food security, reduce rural poverty, and create employment.
