Mr Chairman,
Distinguished Governors,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

The Government of Lesotho would like to commend the IFAD Secretariat for using the Twenty-fifth Anniversary of IFAD as an opportune time to review progress made in enabling the rural poor to overcome their poverty, and to clarify the way forward for the achievement of the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) of halving extreme poverty by 2015. Indeed, the poverty situation is a serious cause for concern in many countries, and it appears to have stagnated or worsened over the years.

The past five years have been very difficult for Lesotho’s economy. The high population growth rate combined with environmental degradation, the scourge of HIV/AIDS and the recent famine have created a poverty trap that is almost impossible to escape through economic reforms alone. The statistics on poverty and HIV/AIDS continue to shock. The gains that were realized during the nineties in the social sectors, especially health and education, are difficult to maintain in the presence of the problems I have mentioned, especially when they are combined with rising unemployment and the poor performance of the economy. The poverty situation has worsened and led to a situation where the Basotho nation has become more vulnerable to both climatic and economic shocks.

Mr Chairman,

The reforms in agriculture are being implemented but not without problems in many developing countries. The reform strategies to address sustainable agriculture and food security often require redefining the role of state so that it provides services with large externalities, timely information, relevant research, a fair regulatory framework and access to adequate financing. They also require enhanced partnerships with the NGOs and, to this effect, IFAD’s popular coalition to Eradicate Hunger and Poverty should be encouraged so that it flourishes in all interested countries.

There is a consensus on what has to be done but financial resources and effective management are still inadequate. In other words, apart from the need for additional financial resources, our governments must implement the policies they have chosen. If we are to reach the Millennium Development Goal as planned, then the above constraints have to be addressed in a much more vigilant manner. Very close monitoring of all IFAD funded projects, which address the MDG is necessary. For this reason we appreciate action already taken by IFAD to establish a new methodological framework for evaluation.

We are aware that NEPAD hopes to strengthen the agreed strategies aimed at reducing poverty and improving the well being of the African people. IFAD’s participation in this African forum is most welcome. A lot still has to be done if poverty eradication is to be achieved within the next decade in Africa. It has to be accepted that the reforms that have been initiated need to be given the time necessary to bear fruit.

Mr Chairman,

The Government of Lesotho is acutely aware of the devastation of poverty and famine and it has given a high priority to food production and supply. All our efforts are now focused on improving food security, a complex issue that involves not only sufficient production but also quality, distribution and capacity to access available food staff. The on-going reforms in the agricultural sector are aimed at increasing productivity, expanding grain supplies, diversifying agriculture and achieving environmentally sustainable development. We have placed priority efforts on soil fertility improvement, small-scale irrigation, and livestock improvement through eradication of disease and rangeland rehabilitation. We have realized that a mix of farm and non-farm activities will help in diversifying and stabilizing the sources of income for the poor. To this effect, some cross-sectoral initiatives aimed at improving the livelihoods of the poor have been started in the areas which are worst hit, by famine.

In conclusion, Mr Chairman, the consensus on the way forward has been made clearer than ever by the famine situation in Lesotho. With the continued support of IFAD and other development partners, Lesotho’s determination to enhance implementation of programmes aimed at improving livelihoods of the poor and food security will become a reality.

Thank you for your attention