Farmers defy drought with climate-smart agriculture

In the heart of Lesotho’s drought-prone lowlands, a quiet agricultural revolution is underway. 

Faced with unpredictable rains and scorching heatwaves, smallholder farmers are increasingly turning to climate-smart agriculture (CSA) – an approach that blends traditional wisdom with modern innovation to secure harvests, conserve water, and ensure food security.

Mafeteng district, one of the hardest hit by recurring droughts, is emerging as a showcase of resilience. Farmers here are challenging the odds by experimenting with drought-tolerant crops, efficient irrigation systems, and soil conservation techniques. Their success stories offer a glimpse of what Lesotho’s agricultural future could look like if innovation continues to meet determination.

When the rains began to fail in 2020, most farmers in Thabana-Morena thought cabbage cultivation was finished. But 29-year old Thapelo Machachamise refused to surrender to climate change. Instead, he invested in a drip irrigation system, a 22,000-litre storage tank, and shade nets to reduce evaporation.

Today, Machachamise’s neat rows of glossy green cabbages stretch like an oasis across his field. He produces at least 10,000 heads of cabbage each year, supplying markets as far as Maseru.

“I have been ploughing cabbage non-stop since 2020. Cabbage is always in demand, and with the right techniques, I can overcome drought and secure good harvests,” he says proudly. 

Water is drawn from a small nearby river that, against the odds, has survived the dry years. The tank allows him to irrigate without competing with his neighbours for scarce community water.

For Machachamise, CSA is more than survival; it is opportunity. 

“Drip irrigation has been a game-changer. It saves water and prevents crop failure. I encourage other farmers to try it because it works,” he explains. 

His farm has become a beacon of hope in Mafeteng, showing that resilience is possible with the right tools.

A few kilometres away, veteran farmer Letuka Lehana is also rewriting the drought story. 

Unlike Machachamise, who focuses on vegetablesonly, Lehana has leaned on sorghum, a traditional crop long adapted to Mafeteng’s harsh climate. Sorghum, alongside potatoes, tomatoes and cabbage, forms the backbone of his fields.

“Farming today is not just about planting and hoping for rain. We must follow weather updates, prepare the soil properly, and choose crops wisely,” he says. 

Lehana employs a mix of techniques: planting in basins to trap moisture, applying compost manure to boost soil fertility, and incorporating herbs that naturally deter pests. He stresses that healthy soil is the foundation of climate resilience.

“When soil is fertile, it holds water better, supports strong plants, and withstands climate shocks. Rotating crops and planting cover crops helps too. This is not only about this year’s harvest; it is about securing the future,” he notes. 

Lesotho’s reliance on subsistence farming is well known: nearly 80 percent of the population depends on agriculture for food and income. But as climate change intensifies, traditional practices are proving insufficient.

Recognising this, the government launched a Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) profile, designed to guide investments and interventions. The plan promotes practices like conservation agriculture, agroforestry, soil and water conservation, and climate-resilient crop varieties.

According to Moiketsi Lekhanya, Area Technical Officer (Irrigation) in the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Nutrition, CSA is “not just a buzzword but a necessity.”

“We have seen first-hand the impact of climate change, from prolonged droughts to sudden floods. That is why we are promoting conservation agriculture, water harvesting, and integrated pest management. These not only help farmers adapt but also improve their productivity,” he points out. 

The ministry is also building the capacity of extension officers and training farmers on CSA techniques. 

“With the right support, we can build a resilient agricultural sector that withstands climate change and secures food for all Basotho,” Lekhanya insists.

Partnerships have been critical in pushing CSA beyond farms into schools and communities. The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and the National Curriculum Development Centre (NCDC), has been spearheading awareness campaigns.

Since 2015, FAO has supported CSA education programmes that link agriculture, nutrition, and environmental stewardship. Teachers and principals have been trained in conservation agriculture and home gardening. 

More than 300 primary and secondary schoolshave taken part in initiatives such as art competitions, where children depict themes like climate change impacts, soil conservation, and sustainable farming.

“The goal is to raise awareness from an early age. If children understand the link between climate change and food security, they become advocates in their homes and communities,” says an FAO representative. 

The combined efforts of farmers like Machachamise and Lehana, government policy, and international support are gradually reshaping Lesotho’s agricultural landscape. 

While challenges remain such as limited financing, high input costs, and the unpredictability of climate shocks, there is a sense of cautious optimism.

Experts argue that scaling up CSA could transform Lesotho from a drought-stricken nation into one that thrives on resilience. Practices such as drip irrigation, mulching, composting, crop diversification, and shade-net farming are proving not only viable but profitable.

Yet, for widespread adoption, access to affordable credit, farming inputs, and reliable extension services will be critical. Farmers also stress the importance of local knowledge exchange: seeing neighbours succeed motivates others to try new methods.

Lesotho’s farmers are no strangers to hardship. For generations, they have coaxed food from shallow soils and erratic rains. What is changing now is the willingness to blend tradition with science.

Sorghum, long looked down upon as a ‘poor man’s crop’, is being rediscovered as a climate champion. Compost manure, once seen as outdated, is gaining value as farmers seek to restore soil fertility without expensive chemicals. And modern technologies like drip irrigation and shade nets are bridging the gap between survival and surplus.

“Farming has always been tough here. But if we take care of the soil, plant wisely, and save water, we can overcome even the drought. The land still has a future,” says Lehana, gazing across his sorghum field. 

The road ahead

As climate change accelerates, the stakes are high. Crop failures not only threaten household incomes but also exacerbate food insecurity across Lesotho. The examples from Mafeteng show that resilience is possible, but only if innovation is scaled and supported.

Machachamise sums it up best: “We cannot stop the drought. But we can learn to live with it, to grow food even when the rains fail. That is what climate-smart farming is all about.”

For Lesotho, where agriculture remains the backbone of livelihoods, the path forward lies in more farmers embracing this mindset of blending resilience with innovation, and determination with hope.