Greenhouse vegetable cultivation on poverty alleviation among smallholder farmers in the Qiloane community council

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 v and close monitoring of greenhouse tunnels so that they can contribute effectively to livelihoods of smallholder farmers.