FAO launches new project in Lesotho on Harnessing SDG-based Agrifood System Transformation through the Empowerment of the Next-Generation of Agrifood Leadership in Africa (HASTEN)

MASERU, 18th June 2024 

The HASTEN Project, a joint initiative between the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Governments of Rwanda, Lesotho and Sierra Leone, empowers young leaders to drive agrifood system transformations. With its extensive technical expertise, FAO is providing crucial assistance to launch the project this year and supporting its alignment with the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

An inception meeting was held on 18 June in Lesotho with the participation of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Nutrition, Ministry of Gender, Youth and Social Development, Ministry of Trade, Industry and Small Business, Ministry of Local Government, Chieftainship, Home Affair, and National Police, young entrepreneurs and scientist from the academia to establish a common understanding of the project's goals, objectives and scope among all stakeholders.
According to a 2021 World Bank Group report, youth unemployment in Lesotho is amongst the highest in the world and three times higher than the average rate observed in other lower-middle-income countries. HASTEN will closely link to Lesotho’s National Strategic Development Plan II (NSDP II) and the Prime Minister’s initiative SEBABATSO, which aims to embrace sustainable development and empower youth entrepreneurs for the next generation. SEBABATSO was launched in 2023 and involves mentoring and investing in youth innovators. It will contribute to Lesotho's economic development.

The National Food System Convenor from Lesotho, Mr Johane Masia, gave opening remarks at the inception meeting about the challenges and opportunities the country’s agrifood system has and the youth's importance toward transforming these systems. He mentioned the imperative need to give additional support to the private sector to boost production and promote the value chain in the country, as Lesotho relies mainly on imported foods. He added that promoting a “From Farm to Fork” would encompass strengthening the various stages in the value chain and a direct connection between the production of food on farms and its consumption. He also addressed how paying close attention to women and young farmers is vital in addressing unemployment. 

Key stakeholders went on to identify some of Lesothos's most pressing challenges in transforming agrifood systems. They all agreed that their major obstacles include access to finance and governance and a lack of agricultural digitalization and food processing and storage solutions. The HASTEN project is designed to enhance capacities for system thinking and focus on business training, youth, and gender empowerment to address future generations' challenges.

Lesotho's National Food System Pathways focuses on transforming food systems to achieve the SDGs and enhance food security and nutrition. HASTEN aims to contribute to the Pathway by supporting partnerships between research institutions, government, and the private sector. It will do so by strengthening institutional capacity and coordination among stakeholders in the food system to address the pressing challenges of all sectors of society, focusing on women and youth.

HASTEN is co-led by the FAO Office of Sustainable Development Goals (OSG), FAO Regional Office for Africa (RAF), Subregional Office for Southern Africa (SFS), Subregional Office for Eastern Africa (SFE), and the Subregional Office for West Africa (SFW) and will be implemented in close collaboration with FAO Country Offices in Lesotho, Rwanda and Sierra Leone.

1. World Bank. (2021). Lesotho social protection programs and systems review. World Bank Group. https://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/996831624982907050/pdf/Lesotho-Social-Protection-Programs-and-Systems-Review.pdf