MAFS

1. Policy and PartnershipDr D.R. Phororo, Senator and Lesotho Minister of Agriculture and Food Security MAFS

2. INTRODUCTION • Appreciation of invitation • Subject of talk: A successful Development Marriage between DFID/CARE and MAFS. Household Green Revolution” • Uniqueness of marriage through LRAP. • Unwelcome marriage between Food Insecurity and HIV and AIDS

3. STRUCTURE of MY TALK • Why MAFS and DFID/CARE marriage is unique; • How is the marriage unique; • Marriage outcomes; • What made the marriage successful.

4. WHY MAFS and DFID/CARE MARRIAGE is UNIQUE • DFID is a committed donor in poverty reduction which, includes tackling food insecurity. • CARE is an implementer of programmes targeted to food insecurity. • Both have been flexible and conformed to traditional bigamous development marriage with MAFS. • MAFS is the promiscuous partner in the marriage.

5. HOW is MAFS and DFID/CARE DEVELOPMENT MARRIAGE UNIQUE and SUCCESSFUL? • Integrating poor landholders in development streams through LRAP. • Roadmaps and landmarks- PRSP, Vision 2020,MDGs. • DFID funded Food security policy and Action Plan. • DFID funding of above - “lobola”, funding LRAP – “vula mlomo”. • Challenge : Halving hunger by half and raising incomes to and above $2 per day –MDGs. • MAFS in consumating the marriage - Capacity utilization in contrast to capacity building.

6. MARRIAGE OUTCOMES by LRAP: Direct Outcomes /Outputs • Delivering targets reached (7,400 beneficiaries in 1250 households) in vegetable and poultry production. • Synergies and enhanced results through mobilisation of NGOs. • Mini ‘green revolution’ at household level through affordable low cost irrigation systems, water and soil conservation agriculture (manure and compost) • Integrated/diversified vegetable/livestock production for balanced nutrition to manage HIV and AIDS.

7. Cont…. Indirect Outcomes • Land tenure as impediment to food security placed in proper perspective. • Options to deal with land tenure by MAFS unfolded.

8. WHAT MADE THE MARRIAGE SUCCESSFUL? Common understanding DFID: • Household production entry point to break poverty – food insecurity cycle and HIV and AIDS – food insecurity marriage. CARE: • Knowledge packages on homestead garden concept and undertaking practical, relevant research

9. Cont…. Shared values: • Quality of life for the underprivileged who must participate in the process through “nothing for nothing” principle. • Tackling transitional and chronic poverty through MAFS “Nelehetse” approach for poultry.

10. Cont…… Mutual respect • Communication: CARE and MAFS senior staff regular meetings and extension to field staff. • Manuals on “How to produce best from your garden” and communicating them to LRAP beneficiaries. • DFID paid its “lobola” without any imposition or operational conditions on CARE in implementing LRAP.

11. CONCLUSIONS • Admit mistakes, being optimistic and striving for excellence in service delivery to the poor. • MAFS, DFID/CARE marriage to produce more bouncing LRAP siblings by up-scaling the programme – DFID funded Priority Support Programme which has just taken off in Lesotho (focusing on job creation and food security) • LRAP to be continuing instrument of household “green revolution” in Lesotho and elsewhere • Deal a fatal blow to food insecurity and HIV and AIDS

12. I THANK YOU Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security