Stable food security outcomes prevail in Lesotho

Minimal (IPC Phase 1) food security outcomes are expected to continue to prevail in most of Lesotho between August 2017 and January 2018, however some areas are expected to start experiencing Stressed (IPC Phase 2) outcomes between October and January 2018. Most households, including the very poor and poor are still accessing staple cereals from their own harvests and consumption patterns are stable. Households purchasing power is also currently stable, allowing households enough income to also access essential non-food items as well. 

Among middle and better-off households, crop sales are currently the main source of income. Some poor and very poor households are receiving income from this as well, but the majority do not harvest much surplus to sell and are relying mostly on off-season casual labor and self-employment. Some of these activities include domestic work, construction, fencing, house smearing, and many others. Middle and better-off households are providing more labor opportunities this year in comparison to last year. 

Farmers are currently selling cereal to traders, who are then supplying markets. Legumes and pulses are also available in markets. Since many rural communities are still consuming their own harvest, demand for staple cereals is low. Regardless, traders are selling more to urban dwellers who rely on market purchases throughout the year, so staple prices are currently stable, but are expected to rise when rural demand increases during the peak lean period.