Lesotho has ample water resources which could be used to improve the livelihoods of Basotho as a nation in
many aspects. However, this seems not to be the case as Lesotho suffers from food in security particularly during
severe droughts, to an extent of seeking support from international communities. Therefore the purpose of the
study was to identify and investigate critical factors that determine successful irrigation farming in Lesotho in
order to uplift the performance of irrigation and livelihoods of Basotho. A structural questionnaire was
administered amongst 153 irrigation farmers and 31 extensionists randomly in the four southern districts of
Lesotho, namely Maseru, Mafeteng, Mohale’s Hoek and Quthing. The above mentioned districts were chosen
because of the spacious agricultural land they have. Secondly most rivers with significant amount of water flow
towards these areas.