ReNOKA and Alliance Française de Maseru launch monthly Farmers’ Market to promote sustainable agricultural supply chains

by | Oct 5, 2023 | Achievements

As part of their vision and intentions to support the local livelihoods, healthy land and water resources and promote cultural exchange, ReNOKA and Alliance Française de Maseru are collaborating to organize a monthly Farmers’ Market in Maseru.

The market aims to foster direct linkages between producers and consumers, offering fresh, quality local food and handcrafted produces to Maseru’s population. It will also help fostering consumers’ understanding of the challenges local producers face in the catchments of Lesotho. Furthermore, the market will contribute to the local economy and promote a culture of quality consumption and cultural exchange.

After a first test event on the 24th of June 2023, which was successful for both vendors and consumers, ReNOKA and Alliance Française de Maseru decided to make the market a monthly event. It will be held on every last Saturday of the month at Alliance Française’s garden, from 10am to 3pm. The Minister of Natural Resources, Hon. Mohlomi Moleko officiated the launch of this monthly Farmers’ Market on Saturday 30th September 2023. In attendance were approximately 50 farmers from different districts in Lesotho, who exhibited and sold their produces to the Maseru consumers who came to support the initiative and to buy quality local produces.

“I am happy to launch today, a farmers market initiated by ReNOKA and Alliance Française. I thank them for this great initiative. When farmers manage and run their own market they eliminate middlemen. It’s a good idea and as the government, we will continue to support farmers in the efforts to increase the local supply” said Hon. Moleko.

The market provides a platform for local producers – individuals and farmer groups alike – to improve access to markets for their goods such as vegetables, fruits, meat, dairy products, processed food and handcrafted blankets and handbags or soaps. It also creates a forum for farmers to exchange with their peers on best practices such as production or marketing techniques. This offers farmers a possibility to diversify their income and receive direct payments for goods which improves their livelihoods and helps them to make ends meet.

“Improved livelihoods of farmers reduce pressure on water and land resources in the catchments where
they are produced and hence overall contributes to water security in Lesotho. The market is also a
response to the need of consumers who are looking for quality local produces and for more cultural
and social entertainment on the week-end” Mr. Makomoreng Fanana, the National Integrated Catchment Management (ICM) Coordinator noted at the launch on Saturday.

In his address, Fanana said the Farmers’ Market initiative seeks to support and increase quality, quantity and consistency of the supply of fruit and vegetable production. Speaking at the same event, the Ambassador of the European Union Delegation to Lesotho, HE. Paola Amadei expressed that it is important to show how sustainable resources management and sustainable agricultural practices, meet a strong demand from consumers.

“Sustainable development means resources for the farmers, who are the first protectors of the environment and resources. Without them, sustainable development will not be a success”. HE. Amadei said.

For over 40 years, Alliance Française de Maseru has been operating in Lesotho as a centre for promoting cultural exchange and teaching French to Basotho. The Director of Alliance Française, Elisabeth Douillet, said that according to Alliance Française moto “Where France meets Lesotho”, her organization remains committed to fostering cultural exchange experiences in Lesotho and taking part in organizing the Farmers’ Market, as part of its cultural agenda. Farmers’ markets are well-known and remain a success in France. Alliance Française is happy to share this part of French culture and aims to transform this exchange into a sustainable market, for the good of producers and consumers.

“The market is a contribution to the vision of the country of Lesotho where agriculture can be a great source of growth and it aligns well with our moto, France meets Lesotho. It symbolizes our commitment to working well with Basotho to assist them in improving their livelihoods,” said Ms Douillet.

The Farmers’ Market is also a good opportunity of evaluating barriers, creating trust amongst consumers and producers, while also enjoying a family outing. ReNOKA, in partnership with all relevant partners, will further provide technical assistance to the farmers through discussions between the local farmers and experts in marketing, sharing insights, experiences and ideas to move forward into bringing farmers and their products closer to consumers.

Maseru Farmer's Market

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