Abstract:
In the light of the changing climate and poverty, the Government of Lesotho with donor support
made investment to promote climate-smart agriculture among smallholder farmers. Despite these
efforts, Lesotho is experiencing high acute food insecurity, and low productivity remains a major
challenge among smallholder farmers. Against this background, this study assesses the impact of
greenhouse vegetable cultivation on poverty alleviation among smallholder farmers in Lesotho.
Specifically, the study assesses the contribution of greenhouse vegetable cultivation on the
livelihood making of smallholder farmers, investigates the contribution of greenhouse cultivation
to living standards and suggests intervention measures in order to assist greenhouse vegetable
cultivation smallholder farmers. The study used mixed method methodology for data collection
using case study of Qiloane community council where face-to-face interviews and closed ended
questionnaires were utilized. The results showed that greenhouse cultivation had contributed to
smallholder farmer’s livelihood making by protecting crops from adverse weather conditions,
increasing crop yields, crop variety and efficient use of water resources. Greenhouse vegetable
cultivation had contributed to smallholder farmers’ living standards by increasing income, food
security, employment opportunities and skills development. Training, availability of agricultural
inputs and subsidies, installation of temperature controllers and access to markets were
intervention measures suggested to address the challenges faced by greenhouse vegetable
cultivation smallholder farmers. The study concluded that greenhouse vegetable cultivation is a
cost effective way of cultivation that can contribute to the economic wellbeing of smallholder
farmers and contribute to country’s economy. Therefore, the study recommends implementation
of integrated pest management and strategies, regular inspection, market-oriented approaches
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and close monitoring of greenhouse tunnels so that they can contribute effectively to livelihoods
of smallholder farmers.
