Lesotho

Lesotho is a landlocked country entirely surrounded by South Africa, covering about 30,355 km². It is one of the highest countries in the world, with most of its territory lying above 1,400 metres. Its landscape is dominated by mountainous terrain, particularly the Drakensberg range, and high plateaus. The climate is temperate but can be harsh, with cold winters and limited arable land.

Before British colonial rule in the 19th century, local communities practised subsistence farming and livestock herding. After independence in 1966, agriculture remained an important part of rural livelihoods, although the country’s mountainous terrain limits large-scale farming. 

Today, the primary sector contributes around 7–10% of GDP and remains vital for employment. Only about 10% of the land is suitable for cultivation. Crop farming focuses on staples such as maize, sorghum and wheat, mainly for domestic consumption. Livestock farming is especially important due to the extensive grazing lands. Sheep and goats are raised for wool and mohair, which are key export products.

Forests are very limited, although small-scale forestry exists in some areas.

Lesotho has no marine fisheries, but freshwater fishing occurs in rivers and reservoirs.

Overall, Lesotho’s primary sector reflects its mountainous geography and limited farmland: small-scale crop cultivation, extensive livestock herding and minimal forestry. Despite economic diversification and reliance on remittances, agriculture remains crucial for food security and rural livelihoods.

In 1997, Gerold was first time to Lesotho with Prof. Tawfik, the head of Deptartment of Animal Breeding in the Tropics at the University in Kassel, Germany. They flew from Johannesburg to Maseru in a small bush plane that couldn’t carry all booked passengers because of a fuel shortage - two Japanese travelers were left behind. In Maseru, we explored the country with Peter Gilles, who was working for the DED at an agricultural school. We visited the Katse Dam, a massive project meant to supply water to Johannesburg - an almost surreal leap from the Stone Age to the Atomic Age for the remote mountain communities. We rode horses, visited cave paintings and tombs, and experienced a truly beautiful country. With a doctoral student and Prof. Tawfik, we also visited the experimental fields of the agricultural school in Maseru. In 2019, Gerold and Klaudia have been in Lesotho for a single day, driving up the Sani Pass from Pietermaritzburg. At 2,900 meters, the view over South Africa was magnificent.