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Authors:

Nienke Beintema, Maleoa Mohloboli, and Sandra Perez

Year:

2016

Publisher

International Food Policy Research Institute and Department of Agricultural Research

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Declining research spending

Lesotho’s agricultural research spending contracted by one-third during 2009–2014 in inflation-adjusted terms. This was the result of declining government support to DAR— the country’s main agricultural research agency—and the cessation of research activities at MFLR in 2012. Despite declining spending, Lesotho invested 0.94 perecent of its AgGDP in agricultural research— in line with the 1 percent minimum level recommended by the African Union and the United Nations; this, however, reflects Lesotho’s small size, rather than a high commitment to agricultural R&D.

Lack of funding diversity

Over time, DAR has been almost entirely funded by the Government of Lesotho, but allocations have generally only covered the cost of staff salaries. Funding for the department’s research activities has been derived through small research grants and alliances with regional research agencies and CGIAR centers. Since 2014, however, the Government’s Agricultural Subsidy Program funded the construction and rehabillitation of laboratories, as well as the procurement of new equipment, at DAR.

Capacity strengthening needed

Lesotho, and especially DAR, has insufficient human resource capacity in agricultural research. As of 2014, only 12 percent of the country’s agricultural researchers were qualified to the PhD level. Moreover, staff retention is low based on poor remuneration packages and other incentives. DAR’s pool of researchers are young and inexperienced, and training and mentoring opportunities are limited. Resolving this issue is a priority at DAR, and some improvements have been made in recent years.

Tackling the many challenges

Lesotho needs a strong and innovative agricultural R&D system to address the many challenges confronting its agricultural sector. In July 2015, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security committed to a two-year collaborative project with FAO to strengthen the country’s research and extension capacity and enable it to undertake relevant, effective, and efficient agricultural research in support of farmers’ needs.