This study aims to (1) assess the demand for vegetables from formal buyers in Lesotho, (2) examine the current production and marketing strategies of commercial vegetable farmers practicing protected farming, and (3) suggest the design of the pilot supplier development program (SDP) to improve formal market access for smallholder farmers. The focus of this study is on Maseru, as it is the main center of demand in the country.
Regarding demand, the report finds that the main constraints reported by the buyers are reliability of supply, varying quality, and low volumes. All the buyers want to increase local purchasing and they find that local produce is cost-competitive relative to imports, but some of their sourcing strategies may preclude the formation of a sustainable supply chain. Regarding supply, it shows that investments in protected farming and irrigation can have a transformational impact on farmers’ incomes and that most farmers can sell their produce, but that relatively few have regular formal customers. This can be due to fragmentation of production, frequent losses of crops to diseases, poor sorting and grading, and lack of packaging.