How World Vision strengthened Mountain Kingdom Poultry Cooperative to grow and succeed with the support from SADP II
By Reentseng Phephetho, Communications & Digital Officer
In the district of Mohale’s Hoek, families were doing everything they could to keep hunger at bay in the face of widespread unemployment. Many households turned to poultry farming as a way to earn a living, but without the right knowledge, skills, or access to markets, progress was slow and discouraging. Each family struggled in its own way, yet a common challenge stood out: limited capacity in poultry production and business management.
In 2023, hope began to take shape when 12 individuals decided to come together, believing that unity could help them learn from one another and grow. Their shared mission was simple but powerful—to fight unemployment and its harsh effects on their families. At the same time, a unique opportunity emerged. Chicken imports into the country were restricted, and Lesotho experienced a shortage of chicken. The question lingered among them: could they fill this gap?
Members of the Mountain Kingdom Poultry Cooperative
They named themselves Mountain Kingdom Poultry Cooperative. The cooperative brought together seven women, four youth, and one man, all producing poultry individually at household level but working collectively to find markets and reduce costs. By buying stock together, they lowered expenses such as transport, yet market access remained a major obstacle.
Determined to strengthen their collective effort, the group decided to start a joint production focusing on Boschveld chickens. Each member contributed M300.00, and together they bought 150 chickens. However, they lacked proper structures for rearing them. During hot temperatures, chickens were kept in confined spaces, leading to losses. At times, the cooperative ran out of chicken feed, causing delays in growth and readiness for sale. These struggles led to tension among members. As Matsepe, one of the members, recalled, “Our huge challenge was market, there was no market and we did not have any strategy on how we could get it.”
A turning point came in February 2025 when World Vision’s SADP II–funded Gender Equality and Women Empowerment (GEWE) Project stepped in. The cooperative received training under the Smallholder Horticulture Empowerment and Promotion approach, which introduced them to market surveys and instilled a powerful principle: “market before production.” This mindset shift transformed Mountain Kingdom Poultry Cooperative. Once they applied the model, sales began to increase—both for individual household production and for the cooperative as a whole.
Maitumeleng feeds her chickens with a smile, confident that she has clients ready for supply
The group developed a market calendar that helped them align production with client demand. Production quality improved significantly, and members began earning regular incomes that supported their families. They constructed a proper structure for their Boschveld chickens at cooperative level, while some members also built new structures at home.
Today, the cooperative’s growth is visible and measurable. Their stock has increased from 150 to 570 chickens. They have secured official supply agreements with three guest houses in Mohale’s Hoek, supplying them with baby chickens. In addition, they provide eggs to government schools for school feeding programs, supplying up to 70 trays of eggs every week, not leaving behind street vendors. “Our lives have transformed, we are not the same anymore,” shared Rose. “We have even created employment and hired a woman who looks after our cooperative Boschveld chickens.”
“Our lives have transformed, we are not the same anymore,” shared Rose
Another major contributor to this growth was the Savings for Transformation (S4T) training. Through S4T, the cooperative learned how to save and access small loans. As a result, they no longer run out of chicken feed and are able to maintain and grow their stock. At household level, the impact has been just as significant. Matsepe was able to rebuild a chicken house that had been blown away by strong winds. Many members used S4T funds to buy proper feeding dishes and improve their production systems.
Limakatso carries chickens she restocked after being empowered, gaining skills and confidence through trainings
Beyond poultry, S4T has brought relief to families’ daily lives. Children’s needs are now being met, including school fees and supplies. The constant stress of not having enough has become a thing of the past. Limakatso, the youth representative in the cooperative, once had to consume her chicken stock because there was no market and no money to buy food at home. With improved sales and access to S4T funds, she was able to restock and now raises 150 broilers. Similarly, Makalang increased her production from 100 to 300 chickens. The group began saving in July 2025, and by their January share-out, the highest pay-out was M4,400.00, while the lowest was M2,300.00.
Mr and Mrs Motsohi work together to prepare chickens for the market
The cooperative also experienced deep social change through Gender Equality training. For women like Mamotsohi, who previously lacked support from her husband and extended family, the training changed everything. Members invited their spouses and families to learn about gender equality, leading to improved understanding and cooperation at home. Mamotsohi shared how her husband now works alongside her in the poultry business. “He now even likes the business more and comes up with other strategies on how we can improve,” she said. Overall, family relationships have become more stable and supportive.
Empowered World View training further strengthened their transformation. Members began using resources they already had to improve their livelihoods. “We no longer buy manure, but make it ourselves. Our gardens at home are thriving,” shared Maitumeleng. Some members started growing vegetables on land they had previously left unused, while others found creative uses for resources they once discarded, such as using Boschveld chicken feathers for decoration. Their mindsets have shifted, their confidence has grown, and even their relationships with God have deepened.
From struggling households facing hunger and unemployment, Mountain Kingdom Poultry Cooperative has become a story of resilience, learning, and transformation. United by a shared vision, they now aspire to own a large poultry enterprise that supplies eggs and meat across the entire country—proof that with the right skills, support, and mindset, small beginnings can lead to big dreams.