Abstract:
Agricultural practices are one of the strategies that can enhance growth in every country in
the world. Dairy farming as one of the branches in agriculture is not an exception. The aim
of the study was to explore the extent to which dairy farming is a strategy for community
development in Mafeteng, Lesotho. The study‘s specific objectives were to investigate
why dairy farming was failing to improve the standard of living in the communities of
Mafeteng; to examine challenges faced by dairy farmers in Mafeteng; to assess the
viability of the Akofang Makaota Dairy Farmers Association in improving dairy farmers
standard of living in Mafeteng; and to suggest possible strategies to improve dairy farming
for community development in Mafeteng. The study used both qualitative and quantitative
research approaches. Fifty respondents were sampled through snowball sampling which
enabled the researcher to find successive participants with ease. The questionnaire and
unstructured interviews helped the researcher to receive data from the participants. One of
the findings of this study was that AMDFA proved ineffective in raising dairy farmers‘
standard of living in Mafeteng. The results also showed that the dairy sector is not growing
in Mafeteng. In addition, it is recommended that the Lesotho government should
implement development policies that would not benefit not only dairy producers but the
entire farm sector. It is also recommended that the customary laws that are governing
farming should be amended. Again, dairy farmers should access funds from the banks
and/or government to enhance the smooth running of their farms
