Increasing agricultural productivity for poultry producers in Lesotho through improved inputs, services, finance, and market linkages.

2023 – 2028

The Kingdom of Lesotho relies primarily on trade for sustenance, importing nearly 80 percent of all poultry products consumed in the country. In partnership with the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Rural Self-Help Development Association (RSDA), and World Poultry Foundation (WPF), Land O’Lakes Venture37 is implementing the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food for Progress Lesotho Sustainable Transformation of Enterprises in the Poultry Sector (STEPS) project to transform Lesotho’s poultry sector through private sector enhancements that will boost markets in Lesotho’s poultry sector. In Lesotho, there are two broad market categories of poultry: products derived from dual-purpose chickens and from commercial single-purpose chickens. Dual-purpose chickens are hardy, but slow growing, while single-purpose chickens are extremely efficient, but require more maintenance. Most imports and poultry sold in Lesotho’s formal markets are single-purpose chickens. The STEPS project will develop both dual and single-purpose poultry markets to meet both existing consumer demand and commercial producer preferences.

By the end of the project, STEPS will enhance the profitability of 35,000 value chain actors and increase meat and egg production by up to 40 and 30 percent, respectively. Ultimately, these changes will boost food security and poultry markets in Lesotho.