LESOTHO · AGRICULTURE
Lesotho’s farmers were told in August to prepare early for El Niño, the warm Pacific weather pattern that can bring drought to southern Africa. Standard Lesotho Bank, part of South Africa’s Standard Bank Group, hosted the forum in the capital, Maseru, where the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the national weather service also spoke.
The forum heard that November to April is the critical period for Lesotho, so the advice is relevant to the current season. The bank’s chief executive pointed to crop insurance as one way to limit weather losses.
Key Facts
- Event Agribusiness Drought Proofing Stakeholder Forum, held in Maseru in August 2026.
- Host Standard Lesotho Bank, with the FAO and Lesotho Meteorological Services.
- Season The forum heard that November to April is the critical period for Lesotho.
- Forecast Lesotho Meteorological Services says El Niño could be strong but relatively short.
- Open No new bank product or fund was announced.
A bank, a UN agency and forecasters asked Lesotho’s farmers to turn weather warnings into early action.
What the Speakers Said
Mokitinyane Nthimo, an FAO representative, urged farmers to act early on water management and to ask whether plans exist to harvest and store water. Nthimo also advised farmers to use climate information when choosing planting dates and seed varieties.
Samuel Seboka, chief executive of Standard Lesotho Bank, said farmers, government, development partners and financial institutions must work together to withstand climate shocks. He said forecasts should be translated into practical action, not just received as information.
The Forecast
Rammolenyane Lethaha, a forecaster and spokesperson for Lesotho Meteorological Services, said many farmers lack clear climate information. Lethaha said the service is developing a weather application to make it simpler.
Lethaha also said the El Niño could be strong but relatively short, with a possible shift back to La Niña, its cooler opposite, by February. August, Lethaha added, was a key month for improving rainfall projections for the coming season.
Why It Matters
The forum heard that the critical period for Lesotho runs from November to April, which is the season now under way. Seboka named crop insurance as one way to manage weather losses.
For readers following Southern African banks, the event shows a lender positioning itself on climate risk rather than announcing a product. Related reading: Burundi’s El Niño needs and our Lesotho explainer.
What Is Not Known
The forum reports describe no new Standard Lesotho Bank product, fund or lending target. We could not find a statement from the bank itself on the event, so this account rests on the speakers’ remarks as reported on 12 and 14 August 2026.
How strong the El Niño will be in Lesotho, and when it will end, remains a forecast that Lesotho Meteorological Services is still refining.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the El Niño forum in Maseru?
The Agribusiness Drought Proofing Stakeholder Forum was held in Maseru in August 2026 and hosted by Standard Lesotho Bank. The FAO and Lesotho Meteorological Services also spoke.
Which months are critical for Lesotho’s farmers?
The forum heard that the critical period for Lesotho runs from November to April.
Did Standard Lesotho Bank launch a new product?
No new product, fund or commitment was reported. Its chief executive, Samuel Seboka, highlighted crop insurance as a way to manage weather losses.
Sources: Remarks by Samuel Seboka (Standard Lesotho Bank), Mokitinyane Nthimo (FAO) and Rammolenyane Lethaha (Lesotho Meteorological Services) at the Agribusiness Drought Proofing Stakeholder Forum, Maseru, August 2026, as reported on 12 and 14 August 2026.
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