Comprehensive National Agriculture Policy (CNAP) for Lesotho 2022-2026.

The Comprehensive National Agriculture Policy (CNAP) for Lesotho (2022–2026)is a framework designed to transform the agricultural sector into a sustainable, commercialized, and diversified industry. Its overarching aim is to ensure food and nutrition security, economic growth, and improved livelihoods for all Basotho. The Policy is aligned with the National Strategic Development Plan II (NSDP II) and regional frameworks such as the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP), ensuring coherence with national and international priorities. The CNAP seeks to enhance agricultural productivity by improving crop and livestock production through the adoption of advanced technologies, genetic resources, and sustainable practices. It emphasizes the development of critical infrastructure, including irrigation systems, feeder roads, and market facilities, to support agricultural activities and improve market access. The Policy also addresses financial barriers by facilitating affordable credit, insurance, and risk-sharing mechanisms for farmers and value-chain players. A key focus is on integrating smallholder farmers into commodity value chains to reduce food imports, create employment opportunities, and ensure market access. Furthermore, the Policy prioritizes climate resilience by promoting climate-smart agriculture and sustainable management of land, water, and natural resources. The CNAP is structured into seven strategic axes, which include enhancing public sector capacity, promoting private sector-led agri-food systems, improving the business environment, ensuring sustainable management of natural resources, advancing agricultural technology and infrastructure, providing targeted support to farmers, women, and youth, and establishing mechanisms for emergency preparedness and social protection. These axes collectively address systemic challenges in the agricultural sector and provide a roadmap for achieving the policy’s objectives.
The Comprehensive National Agriculture Policy (CNAP) addresses land management as a critical component for agricultural transformation in Lesotho. It emphasizes the need for secure land tenure, efficient land use planning, and sustainable practices to enhance agricultural productivity and environmental conservation. The proposed measures include: better land registration system, cadastre, and licensing arrangements that clarify land tenure and use rights.