By Chisomo Phiri
In a bid to address the looming hunger crisis in the country,Minister of Agriculture Sam Kawale says the Government through his ministry has secured K10 billion for maize procurement.
Kawale made this announcement during his ministerial presentation in Parliament on Tuesday.
He said the move is aimed at ensuring food security in the country, particularly during the lean season.
The minister emphasized that the government will prioritize local and regional maize procurement to support local farmers and stimulate economic growth.
Additionally, Kawale revealed that the Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation (ADMARC) has set aside some maize for sale in areas facing challenges in accessing the commodity.
“This initiative aims to stabilize maize prices and make the staple food more accessible to vulnerable populations,
“The government’s proactive approach to addressing food insecurity is a welcome development, especially considering the country’s vulnerability to climate-related shocks and economic uncertainties.
“By prioritizing local procurement and supporting smallholder farmers, the government is taking a step in the right direction towards achieving food self-sufficiency and sustainable agricultural development,” he said.
Around 5.7 million people are expected to face hunger in the country this year.
This number represents about 28% of the Malawi’s population.
The main reason for this crisis is the El Niño conditions, which led to late onset and prolonged dry spells, particularly in the southern and central regions.
These dry spells resulted in severe damage to crops and have negatively affected food production in Malawi, where over 80% of the population depend on agriculture for their livelihoods.
