Promoting the Machobane Farming System

Letla Mosenene: I was born in Quthing, in southern Lesotho, and educated in Sierra Leone (before the devastating war) and the United States, where I studied science education and forestry. After returning from the United States, I developed an interest in agroforestry and went to Kenya for a 3-week introductory course offered by the International Center for Research and Agroforestry (ICRAF). The course offered many methods of integrating production systems with SWC efforts in a holistic way. In 1990, my entire perspective on forestry was affected when I was assigned by the Lesotho government to join the SWC and Agroforestry Program (SWCAP), which is funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). The program was mandated to implement SWC as well as agroforestry. I was assigned to lead the agroforestry component, which I did for 7-8 years.