ROME, ITALY – His Majesty King Letsie III has spotlighted Lesotho’s commitment to transforming its agricultural sector through the One Country One Priority Product (OCOP) initiative during a keynote at the FAO headquarters in Rome.
The king said Lesotho was among the first African countries to adopt OCOP, selecting potatoes for their agro-ecological suitability, disease-free seed production, and socioeconomic potential. A national consultative process identified the crop as central to rural development, particularly for empowering women and youth in farming.
FAO’s OCOP program encourages countries to invest in unique agricultural products that reflect their ecological and cultural assets. More than 95 countries now support over 56 priority products, aiming to create inclusive, resilient, and competitive food systems.
Lesotho’s potato sector, currently meeting less than half of national demand, is set for expansion through partnerships with the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences and the International Potato Center in Peru. These collaborations will provide technical support, capacity building, and parent seed stock for a local tissue culture facility.
The king stressed that mechanization remains a priority, with pilot projects using mechanized planters and harvesters showing early promise. A comprehensive mechanization strategy across the potato value chain is expected to boost yields, reduce post-harvest losses, and create jobs for youth.
King Letsie III noted that OCOP has transformed rural economies in countries like Japan, Thailand, and Vietnam, generating higher incomes, preserving culture, and strengthening food systems. He urged governments, researchers, development partners, and the private sector to work together to maximize the impact of OCOP on food security and economic growth.
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