Maseru — The private sector should take the lead in the commercialisation of agriculture, with government creating an enabling environment for businesses to invest and respond to farmers’ needs, Mr. Selebalo Moeketsi has said.

Speaking following the Accountability Forum, Mr Moeketsi said Prime Minister Sam Matekane had identified agricultural commercialisation as a policy priority, stressing the need for the country to move beyond production to processing and value addition.

He said successful commercialisation required collaboration among stakeholders across the entire agricultural value chain, from production and mechanisation to processing, distribution and access to markets.

“We should start from production to processing and work hand in hand for us to succeed,” he said. Mr Moeketsi said government alone could not commercialise agriculture, adding that greater involvement of the private sector was necessary.

He said the private sector should take the lead while government focused on creating a conducive environment based on the needs and requirements identified by businesses.

He noted that financial institutions, including banks, formed part of the private sector and could play an important role in supporting farmers and agricultural businesses to achieve their commercial ambitions.

Mr Moeketsi said practical interventions should include improving farmers’ access to agricultural equipment and mechanisation, as well as strengthening distribution networks through agro-dealers and other agricultural suppliers.

He urged stakeholders to move away from discussions without concrete action and instead develop clear and implementable plans.

He said the private sector should develop a framework that would enable it to provide essential agricultural inputs, including seeds and fertilisers, at affordable prices that would not undermine farmers’ productivity.

“We need to stop talking without action and come up with clear plans,” he said, stressing that agricultural commercialisation would only succeed if stakeholders translated their commitments into practical interventions.

Mr Moeketsi said closer collaboration among government, financial institutions, agro-dealers, farmers and other private-sector players would be critical in building a productive and commercially viable agricultural sector.