…as maize production declines by 19 percent
…while sorghum production plummets by 43 percent
…food basket rises from M1 220 to M1 320 a month
Mohloai Mpesi/Mathatisi Sebusi
CLIMATE-INDUCED shocks have condemned the country to remain food insecure, amidst dire unemployment and escalating food price increases.
This is according to the Lesotho Vulnerability Assessment Committee (LVAC) Annual Vulnerability Assessment Report 2025 that was released this week.
Up to 258,300 people in rural areas experienced acute food insecurity between May and September 2025, while 334,100 in the rural areas will experience food insecurity from October 2025 to March 2026.
“The IPC Acute Food Insecurity Analysis projects that 258,300 people compared to 293,000 (2024) in rural areas will be in crisis or worse (IPC3+) from May to September 2025, increasing to 334,100 people from October 2025 to March 2026,” the report notes.
More families are nutrition poor
Compared to last year, the report says overall national food insecurity has dropped by 25%, yet overall more families are prone to poor food consumption at 25% in 2025 compared to 19% in 2024, the report shows.
According to the report — whose assessment was conducted between June and July — the total food insecure population for the 2025/26 consumption year is estimated at 524,963, down from 699,049 in 2024/2025.
“The current year food security outcome is showing a decrease of 25%, an indication of improvement in overall food security. Rural food insecure individuals are estimated at 334,113, with highest severity from the mountains, followed by the foothills and Southern Lowlands livelihood zones.
The analysis further projects that 190, 850 people in urban areas will be food insecure in the 2025-2026 consumption year.
“In urban areas, the Economic Capacity of Households to Meet Essential Needs (ECMEN) was assessed, revealing that 190,850 people will be food insecure in 2025/26 consumption year.
Heavy rains, high temperatures dry spells and drought have damaged crops.
“Food and Nutrition Insecurity in Lesotho is driven by climate-related shocks, such as storms, heavy rains, high temperatures, dry spells and drought, which have damaged crops. Pests and livestock diseases have further exacerbated the food and nutrition insecurity in the country.
“Socio-economic shocks, including loss of formal employment, job losses, reduced opportunities in on-farm and casual labour, and price hikes have significantly reduced total household incomes which further weakened their already fragile purchasing power.
“Lesotho’s socio-economic context presents challenges, with a population of 2.077 million, a life expectancy remains at 61.6 years, and a poverty rate at 49.7%. The unemployment rate stands at 30.1% (LFS 2024), with an inflation rate of 6.3% as of May 2025 (BOS).
“The other significant vulnerable conditions in the country include high HIV prevalence, which stands at 18.5% (2023 Estimates by NAC) and maternal mortality at 618 per 100,000 births,” the report reads.
Declining staple crop yields
The analysis indicates that maize production will decline by 19 percent and is estimated at 45, 780 mt in 2025 compared to a total production of 56, 472 in 2024.
“National crop production estimates indicated an increase in area planted for all main cereal crops (maize, sorghum and wheat).
“Yield per hectare declined compared to 2023/24 agricultural season for all cereals (maize, sorghum, wheat) assessed. The current year (2025) maize production is estimated at 45,780 mt compared to 56,472 mt actual total production in 2024. This indicates a 19% decline in maize production.
“Sorghum production also declined by 43 percent with current production estimated at 3,616 mt compared to 6,300 mt in 2024. Wheat production estimates on the other side is showing 17 percent increase compared to 2023/24 season.
While there is some increase in wheat output, a deficit in staple cereals will still need to be filled by imports from South Africa expects to record improved maize production.
“The current year wheat production is estimated at 4,874 mt compared to 4,183 mt in 2024. It should be noted that the country would still meet its annual cereal requirements through imports from RSA (Republic of South Africa), which recorded improved maize production estimates,” the report reads.
The “supply chain for basic food and non-food items is still stable, an indication that food availability is adequate with no restrictions at the main borders with RSA and markets are projected to be fully functional throughout the consumption year,” the report states.
Rising cost of living
It highlights that the cost of living has increased from M1, 220 to M1, 320 per month for a family of four people in 2025.
“The cost of living has risen, with the Survival Minimum Expenditure Basket increasing from M1, 220.00 to M1,320.00 per month for four people in 2025. The current year Food Consumption Score indicates poor consumption at 25% compared to 19% of households in 2024,” the report reads.
LVAC has therefore asked for immediate humanitarian assistance for all food insecure households.
“Immediate humanitarian assistance is recommended for all food insecure population in both rural and urban areas. It will also benefit the entire nation if the government continues to design interventions that are intended to promote market opportunities for local farmers who have surplus from (their) own produce.
“All key stakeholders from government, NGOs UN-Agencies and private sector to collaborate in designing and implementing programmes that will improve food production and nutritional status,” the report reads.
The report indicates that there is a need to scale up anticipatory action and people-centred early warning systems.
“There is also a need to Intensify Integrated Catchment Management to improve rangelands and protect water sources, along with conducting comprehensive vaccination campaigns to prevent seasonal livestock diseases.
“Government to scale up anticipatory actions, people-centred early warning systems, impact-based forecast and invest in risk financing to mitigate and timely respond to impacts of hazards and disasters,” the report reads.