By ‘Mamohaila Rampo
MASERU
The Ministry of Forestry Range and Soil Conservation will launch an eight-year project next week Tuesday, called Regeneration Of Landscape and Livelihoods (ROLL), aimed at rehabilitating and reclaiming degraded lands, including rangelands.
Lesotho was loaned 46 million US dollars by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) to carry out this project. Six districts that will benefit from this project are Thaba-Tseka, Qacha’s Nek, Butha-Buthe, Leribe and Berea.
ROLL Project Manager Mofihli Motšetšero enlightened that each district will has three sub-catchments that will be worked on, except Quthing where they will prioritize a place called Letšeng-la-Letsie only. He explained that they have invested in renovating only that place because it is very attractive and holds great potential of attracting tourists.
Ministry of Forestry, Range and Soil Conservation Principal Secretary (PS) Dr. Kamoho Matlama said the project will capacitate the filling in of dongas by unskilled labour. This will also, supposedly curve the unemployed rate in the country.
Through ROLL, they will support improved agricultural production and create income-generating activities, in the process of rehabilitating land, they will also plant fruit trees that will assist Basotho to generate their own income.
The project will also ensure that rural communities adopt transformational practices for regenerated landscapes and sustainable livelihoods, leading to improved nutrition and adaptation to climate change.
The PS said the degradation is happening at an alarming pace, contributing to a dramatic decline in the productivity of croplands and rangelands worldwide. He said it is unique in that it will be of high quality and will be supervised by experts. Matlama also clarified that as a way of enriching the economy, the trees will be bought from local farmers.
