The contribution of potato seed farming to the livelihoods of the farm households at Semonkong and Ha Marakabei in Maseru District, Lesotho
| dc.contributor.author | Pelane, Rethabile Malikhetla | |
| dc.contributor.supervisor | Rantso, Tsepiso | |
| dc.date | ||
| dc.date.accessioned | 2026-06-05T12:28:12Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2026-06-05T12:28:12Z | |
| dc.date.issued | ||
| dc.description | ||
| dc.description.abstract | This study investigated the contribution of seed potato farming to the livelihoods of farm households at Semonkong and Ha Marakabei (in Lesotho) as well as the surrounding communities. The Sustainable Livelihoods Framework (SLF) was used in the research study to explore the different variables of seed potato producers including their demographic characteristics, household size, gender, age, educational background/level, land ownership, agricultural practices, sources of the agricultural inputs, land size, quantity of seed potato planted, quality of seed potato harvested, marketing strategies and the challenges and threats experienced. Mixed methods, using quantitative and qualitative approaches, were employed. Simple random and purposive sampling techniques were used. Data was gathered using face to face interviews and the research tool was administered to three Seed Potato Producers’ Associations. The study was designed in such a way that the ethics were highly considered, ensuring informed consent, confidentiality, as well as respect for the respondents’ cultural values and practices during the entire research process. The findings indicate that seed potato farming in rural households’ livelihoods is very important for both the youths and the adults who are faced with limited formal job employment. It generally generates income and sustains food and nutrition security in farm households. This contribution is beneficial even to the entire surrounding communities because other, non–farm, households get agricultural casual labour opportunities such as weeding and harvesting. The study reveals that the basic seed potato is imported from South Africa, increasing the cost of production for the farmers. The government remains the main buyer of these seed potatoes from the local farmers in bulk. The study further found that seed potato farming is a potential employer in the rural areas and that the government should initiate the necessary supporting programmes to upscale it. These interventions should include extensive capacity building of the farmers on climate smart agricultural technologies, using both indigenous and modern equipment. | |
| dc.description.sponsorship | NEDBANK Lesotho | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14155/2306 | |
| dc.publisher | National University of Lesotho | |
| dc.title | The contribution of potato seed farming to the livelihoods of the farm households at Semonkong and Ha Marakabei in Maseru District, Lesotho | |
| dc.type |