SIGNING
CEREMONY OF A LONG-TERM LEASE AGREEMENT FOR MEJAMETALANA VEGETABLE FARM
ON 1 DECEMBER, 2003|
The Government of Lesotho is signing a Long-Term Lease Agreement with Mookoli Fresh Farm Produce (Pty) Ltd for Mejametalana Vegetable Farm today at Mejametalana Vegetable Farm. Mookoli Fresh Farm Produce is a local company wholly owned by Basotho and has a proven record of accomplishment in the vegetable farming business. Restructuring of Mejametalana Vegetable Farm is part of divestiture/privatisation of sixteen (16) Small Agricultural Enterprises, a component of the Agricultural Sector Adjustment Programme/Agricultural Policy and Capacity Building Project (ASAP/APCBP) of the Government of Lesotho funded by the African Development Bank, the World Bank, Government of Lesotho, and other Bilateral and Multilateral Aid Agencies. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Ministries of Agriculture and Food Security, and of Finance and Development Planning, and the Privatisation Unit whereby the Ministry of Agriculture was assigned the responsibility to spearhead the divestiture process, under the guidance of the Privatisation Unit. The sixteen (16) enterprises, which appear on the ASAP/APCBP project document were published by Government Notice 3 of 2002 in accordance with section 16 (1) (a) of the Privatisation Act No.9 of 1995. A study reviewing best options for privatisation of these enterprises recommended the following: Privatisation Restructuring Liquidation
Mejametalana Vegetable Farmers Training Centre, Basotho Pony Stud Farm, Veterinary Services. Breeding Farm, Tšalitlama Vegetable Forestry Nurseries, Farm, Feedlot, Molimo Nthuse Pony Tšakholo Fish Farm. Trekking & Trading Centre, National Pig Stud Merino Sheep Stud – Mokhotlong, Breeding Farm Farm,Merino Sheep Stud – Quthing, Botšabelo Dairy Wool and Mohair Marketing Facilities. Farm Cabinet approved the Privatisation Schemes of the above six (6) enterprises earmarked for privatisation in April 2002. These were later published in the Government Notice No. 67, dated 17 June, 2002 in accordance with section 18 (4) of Privatisation Act of 1995. An abridged version of Privatisation Schemes and invitations to bid were published in local newspapers and on Radio Lesotho in both English and Sesotho. Interested parties were given five (5) weeks to prepare and submit their bidding proposals. Government later changed its policy from sale to lease of enterprises earmarked for privatisation. Bids were received from seventeen (17) prospective local investors for the above six (6) enterprises. Evaluation of these bids was done by a duly constituted evaluation team, assisted by the consultant engaged by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security. Five (5) bidders were short listed for negotiations, two (2) of which qualified. Negotiations were subsequently held with both bidders. In accordance with the set evaluation criteria Mookoli Fresh Farm Produce qualified and proved to be the suitable operator for the Farm. Cabinet approved that Mejemetalana Vegetable Farm should be leased to Mookoli Fresh Farm Produce. Today marks the beginning of a long-term partnership between the Government of Lesotho and Mookoli Fresh Farm Produce in the business of vegetable farming. This partnership will be governed by the Long-Term Lease Agreement, which is being signed today. The Government of Lesotho wishes Mookoli Fresh Farm Produce a successful business venture. Prepared by: Privatisation Unit in Joint venture with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security 1 December, 2003 |
Designers