Leribe __ The Principal Chief of Leribe has called on chiefs to support nutrition clubs in contribution to supporting King Letsie III as African Champion in Nutrition.

Principal Chief Joel Mots'oene said this at the Agriculture Exhibition hosted by the Ministry of Agriculture, Nutrition and Food Security held at Leribe Moreneng on Friday, as the last one since they started in April.

Chief Joele said chiefs have to come together and strategise on holding nutrition day every month, whereby nutrition clubs and farmers display their products.

He said the products will not only be displayed but will be bought by other villagers.

Chief Joele highlighted that he will provide them with the place to hold such.

He indicated that the Ministry should align mainly with chiefs in passing messages on such events.

"In doing so many will attend," he stated.

Speaking at the same event, District Agriculture Officer Leribe (DAO) Mr. Ts'iu Mphanya said the agriculture exhibitions are an answer to expectations by the Ministry of Agriculture, Nutrition and Food Security in the district.

Mr. Mphanya said the purpose of the event is to see how the nutrition clubs and farmers together with agricultural officers are related in doing agriculture.

"The Ministry is looking mainly at agricultural products produced in the fields and homestead gardens," he indicated.

He reminded that the exhibitions commenced in April at Likhakeng leading to other areas such as Likhetlane, Ha Ramapepe, Nqechane, Kolonyama, Mathokoane, Konkotiea and Taale amongst others.

Mr. Mphanya highlighted that they managed to cover 18 areas in the district for the last four months.

Referring to youth, he called on youth to take part in agriculture and be part of nutrition clubs.

He said they should consult with their agriculture extension officers for securing the target market.

DAO said for them to get shade nets and others they should continue working hard, for their well organized and productive work will call in the support.

He said he is in the process of working together with chiefs and community councillors in accessing seeds and fertilizers from the Ministry as to overcome the challenge of people who come to buy yet they are not farmers.

In conclusion, he appealed that they prepare for summer cropping and aim at high production.

One of the farmers and member of nutrition club Mrs. 'Masetene Topisi said for attaining better living one has to engage in agriculture.

Mrs. Topisi indicated that ever after Covid-19 stroke economy has never been the same, saying not everything they buy but they plant others for daily survival.

She appealed to the community to engage in agriculture production.

Referring to unemployment, she said unemployment is a major challenge and through agriculture they overcome unemployment and hunger.

"In doing so we create employment also," he indicated.

Talking about nutrition clubs, she said they are more into keyhole gardening.

She said they are aiming at producing more and attain a target market.

Leribe Moreneng falls under Hlotse Resource Centre, comprising of Ha Simone, Mohobollo and Litlhats'aneng.