Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
• human capacity situation including the capacity of the extension systems and the
availability of relevant skills for policy analysis and leadership;
•
the credit system; and
•
the marketing system.
Recent studies in a number of countries, including Ethiopia (Feleke
et al.
, 2003; Alemu
et
al.
, 2003) suggest that these factors are important and that institutional constraints have an
impact on farmers' responsiveness to policy changes. The fact that 15 years after the potential
for commercial profitability of asparagus production was established (EFP, 1995), little
or nothing is happening in that direction leaves little doubt that institutional constraints
could be important in Lesotho. Further, the recent experience with the introduction and
popularization of
Paprika
in 1999 is quite instructive and demonstrates that Lesotho
farmers are indeed receptive to new ideas. In that particular instance, Lesotho farmers
enthusiastically embraced the new crop which was however not suited to the country's agro-
ecological conditions and thus not likely to have sustained positive impact on the farming
system and farmers' welfare. This experience suggests that a well-structured institutional
arrangement, integrating the full spectrum of research, extension and knowledge networks,
should be able to recognize these limitations and insulate farmers from exploitation.
It is necessary to examine these factors, among many, and determine the extent to which
they engender or inhibit agricultural development and thus form a basis for recommending
interventions that strengthen the relevant institutions that cater to them. On the basis
of international experience, it is possible to posit that institutional development would
contribute to more effective utilization of the physical, human, and financial resources placed
at the disposal of Lesotho under on-going or prospective technical cooperation agreements.
The purpose of this study was to identify the key institutional factors constraining the
production and marketing of horticultural products in Lesotho. More specifically, the
intention was to:
• investigate factors that affect horticulture production and marketing in Lesotho;
• make policy recommendations on the basis of the results.
8.2 Study area
Geographically, Lesotho is an enclave, being completely surrounded by only one country,
South Africa, to make it one of only three such entities in the world (the others are the
Republic of San Marino, an enclave in Italy, and the Vatican City, an enclave in the city of
Rome, also in Italy). The country is located between latitude 28°S and 31°S, with Longitude
27°E and 30°E, and has a temperate climate with cool dry winters and hot wet summers
(Baffour, 2003). Its peculiar mountainous terrain has earned it several nicknames, some
of which are: 'The mountain kingdom' or 'the roof of Africa' or 'the kingdom in the sky'.
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