Soaring food prices and the recent global economic downturn struck Lesotho hard, especially the majority of its 1.9 million people that rely on agriculture. The European Union responded by allocating six million euros (EUR) toward agriculture, as part of the EUR 1 billion European Union Food Facility (EUFF), the European Union’s massive response to increased food insecurity around the world, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations reported in May 2010.

Four million EUR are channelled through FAO to swiftly stave off the food crisis and at the same time make a long-term impact on Lesotho’s food situation. FAO is working closely with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS), keeping its efforts in line with ongoing government programmes.

(FAO/ib)