The impact of commercial agriculture on household food and nutrition security in Lesotho

Transitioning from subsistence to commercial agriculture is a developmental approach to alleviate poverty. The study assessed the contribution of commercial agriculture on household food and nutrition security in Lesotho. A propensity score matching was employed as a quantitative approach to estimate the contribution of commercial agriculture on household food and nutrition security. Interviews with key informants addressed the qualitative approach. The propensity score matching results indicated that commercial agriculture decreased household food insecurity by −2.84, and increased household and women’s dietary diversity score by 1.02 and 0.568, respectively. All key informants alluded to the positive effect of commercial agriculture on household food and nutrition security. The nutrition-sensitivity of agriculture increases the likelihood to yield positive food and nutrition security outcomes. Interventions that support the commercialisation of agriculture must intentionally capacitate farming households on the channels through which commercial agriculture can be maximised to enhance their food and nutrition security.