Implementing Agency:
Department For International Development (DFIDSA)

Managing Institute:
Department For International Development (DFIDSA)

Contractor:
Technical Cooperation Officer

Project Code: 032-500-004	Start Date: 01-Jul-96	End Date: 01-Mar-97
Commitment: £300,000	Status: Completed	Type of Funding: Bilateral - TC

Project Background:
Sustainable agriculture is integral to Lesotho's long term economic and social development. This is particularly so, given that some 85% of the population, generally speaking the poorest, live in rural areas and some 70% of these obtain at least part of their livelihoods from the agriculture sector, particularly livestock.

To have a sustainable impact, there is need for a strategic framework to be in place which will optimise the returns from agriculture. Ad hoc interventions of the past, from various donors including DFID, have not proved successful within a framework which does not provide an enabling environment for development. Both the Government of Lesotho and major donors have recognised this and the major doners; the World Bank (WB), the European Union (EU), International Food and Agriculture Division (IFAD) of the Food and Agriculture Organisation and DFID, have undertaken to work with the Government of Lesotho, within the context of an Agriculture Sector Investment Progamme (ASIP), to create the necessary enabling environment for sustainable development. A broad-based sector approach is felt to be the most appropriate means of addressing the issues facing the agricultural sector in Lesotho.

Project Objectives:
The development of a viable agriculture sector investment programme in Lesotho

Intended Outputs:
A sector investment plan, developed in a fully participatory way, which is acceptable to all stakeholders.

A detailed agriculture sector investment programme, developed in a fully participatory way, which forms the basis for donor and government investment.

Coherent DFID and EU RNR strategies agreed and implemented.