Lesotho is expected to record an average 2022 harvest despite a number of challenges, including high fertiliser, chemicals, and fuel prices.
In its latest situation analysis on the landlocked country, fully surrounded by South Africa, the Famine Early Warning System Network (FEWS NET) said since the beginning of December, widespread favorable rainfall had facilitated engagement in the agricultural season and crop growth.
“Although, high fertiliser, agrochemicals, and fuel prices are limiting households’ ability to adequately tend to their crops, decreasing yield prospects,” said.
According to FEWS NET, heavy rainfall in January had resulted in waterlogging and leaching of planted maize and sorghum and hindered weeding operations.
However, favourable rainfall was expected during the outlook period, and despite some of the negative impacts on the season, an average 2022 harvest is still anticipated.
The good prospects of the harvest is expected to see Lesotho’s economy grow in 2022 as commodity prices rise and external demand for textiles, one of its major foreign currency earners, recover.
“Inflation will likely remain above the 2021 average of nearly six percent due to substantially higher electricity, gas, fuel, food, and transportation costs.
“The current reserve holdings exceed four months’ import cover and will remain sufficient to maintain the currency pegged to the (South African) Rand.
“In November, prices for maize meal, wheat flour, sunflower oil, bread, and beans for Maseru and other markets were stable seasonally. Still, prices are elevated compared to last year and the five-year averages. Due to the high inflation and subsequent high prices, household purchasing power is low,” FEWS NET said.
It added; “As the production season progresses, household food stocks from own production are depleted. Reliance on markets for food remains a challenge among poor households as persistently high food prices and below-average income hinders household economic capacity to access food.”
