OUR MAIN GOAL IS TO ENHANCE THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF FARMERS AND SOCIETY AS A WHOLE
Southern Mountain Association For Rural Transformation Development
(SMARTD) is an ecuminecal community Based Organisation established by
communities in the southern eastern mountains of Lesotho.
The organization was established by communities after the phase down of the project of the Christian Council of Lesotho programme called Integrated Rural Development Programme which assisted communities to fight poverty through livelihood entitlement programmes.
SMARTD was established in 2005 and registered as No: 2004/164 under Societies Act No: 20 of 1966 as a charity organization. SMARTD Resource Centre is located about 200m above the Senqu river on the southern side, on the outskirts of the small rural town of Ha-Sekake.
WHAT WE DO
With this program SMARTD assist farmers to farm in an environmentally friendly manner while at the same time restoring their environment.
Farmers’ own managed seed systems are at the heart of food security. As a result, SMARTD promotes use of local and adaptive seed through community seed banks.
This programme is designed to support and advice farmers on animal husbandry, breeding, quality and marketing of animal products including merino sheep.
Because of the fragile soils that had lost vitality, We are promoting among the farming communities the type of farming that has the potential to nourish soil and help in soil sequestration. Farming that is less costly, environment friendly and sustainable to all who embraces its concepts
To improve house-holds food security and nutrition, vegetable production is done through keyhole plots, trench gardens, raised and sunken beds. Vegetables produced mainly for income are produced in big areas and under gravity-fed irrigation.
SMARTD works with communities on all income generating projects which include (but aren’t limited to) fruit drying,
beekeeping and promotion of bee products (like honey, propolis), agave aloe Vaseline and body cream. While working on these activities we are also looking at the approaches which will advance the marketing channel for communities.
For farmers to be more food secure and adapt to the changing climatic conditions agroforestry farming is the answer, as a result farmers are encouraged to plant fruit trees together with crops in and or fodder in their food promotion.