Abstract:
The COVID-19 pandemic came as a health crisis to the rest of the world. In Lesotho, the
government’s response to curb the pandemic was implemented in March 2020. The measures taken
were social distancing, lockdown, closure of borders, and shutdown of all activities with room
allowed for provision of essential services. Although the measures were intended to curb the spread
of the virus, they also had unintended consequences on the economy where the livelihoods of the
people have been impacted; wool and mohair farmers were not an exception. Despite contributing
positively to the GDP and job creation, the sector was affected by lockdown, and closure of borders
where farmers could not cross borders to buy livestock medication and food supplements. Mohair
shearing was delayed; as a result, income from the sale of wool and mohair was also delayed. The
income was also little compared to the previous year prior to COVID-19. Animals’ health was
compromised to some extent, and some died. There was a loss of livelihoods and employment to
herders due to the pandemic as most farmers rely completely on wool and mohair. The government
needed to intervene as a remedy and booster to the wool and mohair sector for it to recover