Agricultural production and institutional support

The Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) will implement the project, which will expand small farmers" horticultural and livestock farming and upgrade the MOA and Lesotho Agricultural College (LAC). An MOA Production Coordinating Unit, staffed initially by U.S. advisors, will direct agricultural production activities. To expand horticultural production for consumption and sale the project will: introduce improved technology and small water catchments to 150 farmers; form 7 farmer associations for irrigated horticulture; help 1,500 households start home gardens; and, with help from CARE, develop 5 private fruit, tree, and vegetable seedling nurseries. To expand livestock production, the project will support existing Range Management Associations (RMA"s) and develop 4 new RMA"s. The Lesotho Cooperative Credit Union (assisted by Credit Union National Association) will develop a system for supporting 25 credit unions which will provide farmers with credit, TA, and input and marketing assistance. To strengthen farming systems research within the MOA, the project will: help set research priorities based on farmers" needs; expand on-farm testing; develop and transfer 26 or more technical packages; improve linkages (extension, policymaking, etc.); equip and staff a soils lab; and incorporate research feedback into LAC training. Long- and short-term external training will be provided to 20 and 28 persons, respectively, and library materials purchased. Activities in extension education will focus on LAC and the MOA"s Agricultural Information Office (AIO). Regarding LAC, the project will: improve operating procedures; train 7 participants and improve in-country staff training; upgrade diploma, certificate, and inservice curricula; and upgrade facilities, including 2 farmer training centers. LAC will conduct several inservice training programs for extensionists and farmers, and special training for persons participating in the project"s production component. AIO"s dissemination of applied agricultural information to farmers and field staff will be upgraded through participant and on-the-job training and broadcasting, publishing, and office equipment. Communication between MOA informational and technical divisions will be enhanced. In all, 33 participants will receive B.S., M.S., or Ph.D. training; 78 person-years of long-term TA will be provided.