Govt for maize rationing
The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security says it has ordered the Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation (Admarc) to open some of its markets to deal with the current food shortage across the country.
But minister James Munthali said the State-owned produce trader will be rationing the maize as a way of dealing with unscrupulous traders who would want to hoard the maize and later sell it at expensive prices.
Munthali said this in Salima yesterday during the launch of the 2013/2014 Farm Input Subsidy Programme (Fisp) beneficiary identification and registration.
“We have just instructed Admarc to open up its markets especially in the hot-spot districts. However, they will be selling in a rationed manner of at least 10 kilogrammes so that all those who do not have the food can buy,” he said.
The minister admitted that although Admarc and the National Food Reserve Agency have some maize in stock, it would not be enough to meet the country’s food requirement for both commercial and humanitarian activities.
He said while Admarc will be more involved with handling the commercial maize, government was also relying on donors to assist it cover the gap on the humanitarian side.
It is estimated that almost 2 million people in 21 districts are food insecure and in need of food handouts.
“We will also need to import some more stocks to cover the gap and if need be, NFRA stocks will be used to beef up what Admarc has; that is the purpose of the grain reserves. We shall make sure that all our Admarc markets have the food,” said Munthali.
The launch ceremony was held at Kaphatenga Teachers’ Development Centre ground in Makande Extension Planning Area in the area of Traditional Authority Kalonga.
On the subsidy programme this season, Munthali said government has put in place a number of measures to ensure that the programme is run smoothly and reach out to the intended beneficiaries.
He said the measures include choice and thorough scrutiny of suppliers and transporters to ensure that they are honest and have the capacity to deliver.
Munthali also said this year all the fertiliser will be tested for quality and efficacy.
He also said this year the programme will use electronic truck tracking system to record particulars of all vehicles being used, how much fertiliser each vehicle is carrying, when it is leaving a particular depot and the time it is expected to arrive at its destination.
The minister, who will be presiding over the Fisp season for the first time, promised that the programme is expected to run smoothly with minimal hitches this year and warned that government will not tolerate any underhand dealings.
