Ha Hlapalimane, like most of the areas of Lesotho has a number of unique environmental, biodiversity and water resources challenges which negatively affect food security and livelihoods of community members. Poor agricultural practices, and poor management of water resources has exacerbated land degradation. The project will address food insecurity and livelihoods by improving horticultural production, water harvesting, and beekeeping. The project will target resource-poor and vulnerable households of Hlapalimane within the Qacha?s Nek Urban Council, and directly benefit Ha e Hate Ka Maro Hlapalimane Association. The Association has a membership of 13 members, all of whom are women.

Hlapalimane Water Harvesting, Beekeeping and Horticultural Project is one of the nine projects approved by the GEF-SGP National Steering Committee as having potential to yield global environmental benefits while at the same time resulting in improvement of the livelihoods of the Ha Hlapalimane community. The project will also improve the protection of important biodiversity and water resources critical for improved horticultural and honey production. The project will address sustainable agriculture, and food security in three areas: production of high value vegetables and fruits; water harvesting; and beekeeping. The Project will be implemented over a period of 24 months.

While awaiting full funding from GEF-SGP, Association members continue to propagate fruit trees in their homesteads with the aim to generate income. In the past years, they were selling their fruit trees to the Ministry of Forestry, Range and Conservation, but due to budgetary constraints, the Ministry has not able to buy fruit seedlings from Association members during 2021, hence the need to diversify market outlets. Association members also continue to grow vegetables in their gardens for home consumption and sale. At their project site, they have dug some holes with the aim to plant potatoes to kick start their project and generate income that will also contribute toward the budget of the GEF funded project.

Primary objective: To improve food security and water resources management for sustained livelihoods of Hlapalimane community by 2023.

Specific objectives: 1 - To equip Association members with knowledge and skills in sustainable vegetable and fruit tree production.
2 - To train Association members on beekeeping and protection of important biodiversity and natural resources management.

Rationale: The baseline survey undertaken during the design of the project identified land degradation, loss of biodiversity, and food insecurity as the key challenges in Hlapalimane. This challenge was further raised during consensus workshop/ meeting with stakeholder in the design of this project. The project meets the needs of the community to combat the threat of land degradation, water resource management, food security and livelihoods.

This project is in line with the ?Sustainable agriculture and fisheries, and food security? GEF focal area and also addresses the capacity development category. Poor soil management practices and soil infertility has led to a downward cycle of reduced land productivity and increased vulnerability of Ha Hlapalimane community. Ha Hlapalimane households rely on vegetable production and fruit tree propagation for their livelihoods as there is little or no alternative employment. Association members lack advanced knowledge and experience to put into effect improved horticultural production. If the situation is left unattended, nutrition and health standards at Ha Hlapalimane will continue to decline.

The project also aligns with the national strategies: the National Strategic Development Plan 2018/19 ? 2022/23 (Outcome 1.1, Strategic Objectives 6 and 7 - Improve Production of High Value Crops and Livestock Products; and Build Capacity of Farmers, Agricultural Institutions and Associations); the National Environment Policy 1998; and National Environment Act 2008. The protection of important biodiversity and water resources are also considered critical for improved horticultural and honey production for the Association, while at the same time improving livelihoods of the Ha Hlapalimane community. While awaiting full funding, the Association continues to produce vegetables and fruit trees in home gardens. At the project site they have dug some hole in preparation of potato planting, and income generated from the sale of potatoes will form part of Association?s contribution to the project.