UN agricultural fund lending money to train poorest farmers in Lesotho

The poorest farmers in three southern districts in Lesotho will be the beneficiaries of a new $12 million programme to improve their farming techniques and livestock production, as well as to upgrade veterinary and slaughterhouse services, the United Nations agricultural fund said today.

The programme will teach the farmers better use and management of land and water while improving traditional animal husbandry techniques, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) said.

IFAD will lend the Government of Lesotho $10.1 million for the programme, while the Government will donate $1.7 million and the farmers themselves will invest $200,000 in soil and water conservation projects.