Thumbnail Image

Strengthening Agricultural Research and Extension in Lesotho - TCP/LES/3503

Year of publication 2019

Place of publication Rome, Italy ;

Pages 2p.

Publisher FAO ;

Product type Project

Edition 1

Synopsis (short abstract) The performance of the agricultural sector in Lesotho has been slow over recent decades. Weak institutional structure and human capacity, as well as under-investment in agricultural research and extension, are reported to be among the factors that have contributed to the poor performance of the sector and its contribution to the national economy. Past assessments shed light on a number of challenges facing agricultural research and extension in the country. Of critical importance were the absence of a national policy for research and extension, weak institutional structure, limited human capacities, declining core funding and obsolete infrastructures, weak linkages and coordination of research and extension across agricultural and rural development line ministries, limited collaboration with regional and international research and extension organizations, and an outdated extension model and policy. The project had two objectives: to strengthen capacities for coordinated research and extension, and to develop a national policy for agricultural research and extension, and a strategic plan for its implementation. It was designed to overcome some of the functional capacities (e.g. capacity to collaborate, capacity to engage in strategic and political processes, capacity to navigate complexity, capacity to reflect and learn), and challenges of collaboration and coordination, as well as policy challenges.

Language English

Also available in:
No results found.

Related items

Showing items related by metadata.

  • Thumbnail Image
    Project
    Strengthening Animal Disease Surveillance in Lesotho - TCP/LES/3604 2020
    Also available in:
    No results found.
    Over three-quarters of Lesotho’s population resides inrural areas, with agriculture and livestock being centralto their livelihood and the rural economy. In particular, sheep and goats produce wool and mohair, which are the primary national export commodity. The growth and sustainability of the sector, however, are threatened bya variety of factors, including the outbreak of animal diseases. The Government of Lesotho has recognized and acknowledged that the technical and operational capacities for dealing with animal disease have deteriorated, leaving the country with poor surveillance measures for early detection and rapid response.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Project
    Enhancing Honey Production in Lesotho - TCP/LES/3502 2019
    Also available in:
    No results found.
    Three-quarters of rural households in Lesotho depend on agriculture for their livelihood. These households are increasingly vulnerable because of the deteriorating performance of the agriculture sector. Beekeeping and the production of honey and other hive products can help to sustain the livelihood of farmers that reside in areas with potential for apiculture. However, the sector needs to resolve a number of problems before it can realize its full potential. In response to these challenges, a project was designed with the aim of helping to improve and diversify the livelihoods of agriculturally dependent households through the promotion of commercial honey production in Lesotho.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Book (stand-alone)
    Joint rapid appraisal on strengthening agricultural innovation systems in Africa, Asia and Latin America by regional research and extension organizations
    Synthesis report 2021
    2021
    Also available in:
    No results found.
    During the last quarter of 2020, Regional Agricultural Research and Extension Organisations (RREO) in Africa, Asia, and Latin America jointly carried out rapid appraisals to map the innovation environment and identify and document initiatives aimed at strengthening Agricultural Innovation Systems (AIS). The focus was on functional capacity development with a view to exploring ways in which RREO can support the development of these capacities and integrate them with technical capacities. A combination of literature reviews, case studies, and stakeholder surveys was used to gather information. The results were documented in three separate reports which are available from the RREO. In the present document, key findings from the regional reports are presented and discussed in this report.
Show more

Users also downloaded

Showing related downloaded files

No results found.