Lesotho's climate is characterized as temperate with alpine features, experiencing hot summers and relatively cold winters. The country's geographical position at high elevations results in significantly lower temperatures compared to neighbouring regions at similar latitudes. Lesotho observes four distinct seasons, each marked by wide-ranging temperature fluctuations and erratic rainfall patterns. Its location exposes the country to the influences of both the Indian and the Atlantic Oceans, with wide differences 59 Imani Development International Ltd (2021). Agricultural Finance Scoping: An Agriculture Finance Scoping Exercise in Lesotho 60 Government of Lesotho (2019), Lesotho Review – Agriculture 61 World Bank (2019), Climate-Smart Agriculture in Lesotho 18 in temperature. The temperature in Lesotho exhibits high variability on a daily, monthly, and yearly level, typically fluctuating between 10°C and 30°C. The annual precipitation in Lesotho varies both temporally and spatially, ranging from 500 millimeters (mm) to 760 mm. Summer thunderstorms can bring high winds of up to 20 meters per second, further complicating the climatic conditions.
The Climate Resilient Food Systems (CRFS) Alliance initiated a set of country case studies to advance its work. The case studies provide proactive engagement with the countries while also providing opportunities for the alliance to gather lessons, challenges, opportunities and good practices in providing and coordinating support. The case studies and support thereof will draw upon existing national policies, frameworks, plans and strategies.
The case studies entail the following general set of steps:
- Identifying key issues related to climate-resilient food systems and possible actions to be implemented by the alliance;
- Designing and implementing activities, drawing upon existing activities from the members of the alliance and other stakeholders;
- Monitoring, evaluation and learning.
This case study on Lesotho includes an analysis of the country’s agrifood system, a risk assessment, landscape of climate, agriculture, and food system policies, priority actions in climate and food systems, as well as needs and gaps for implementation.