MoabiMatsepe1

4 October always makes me reflect on what independence means for us as Basotho.

For me, it also brings me back to agriculture.

A country’s independence is closely connected to the strength of its food systems and the ability of its people to build secure and resilient livelihoods.

This is where I see agricultural extension playing an important role.

Extension is not simply about taking technologies from researchers to farmers. It is about listening to farmers, understanding their realities, connecting knowledge with local experience, supporting innovation and helping communities make better decisions in a changing environment.

For Lesotho, this is increasingly important as smallholder farmers face climate variability, water challenges, land degradation, changing markets and pressure on household livelihoods.

We need agricultural extension and advisory services that help farmers not only produce more, but become more resilient. This means strengthening climate-smart agriculture, farmer knowledge, access to information, innovation, markets and practical solutions that work within local conditions.

As a Mosotho who has trained in Agricultural Extension Education, I see extension as part of the wider work of building resilient food systems and a more self-reliant Lesotho.

Our independence is a history we celebrate, but it is also a responsibility to keep building.

Happy Independence Day, Lesotho.