Stop selling maize —Rumphi Dado
Rumphi district agricultural development officer (Dado) Lumbani Msiska has advised farmers against selling their maize to buy domestic items as one way of beating hunger looming in some areas in the district.
In an interview, the dado said it is pleasing to note that food production from 2018/19 growing season increased by 6 percent.
Msiska, however, said the increase is just on paper, pointing out that people observably sell maize or exchange it with items to vendors despite conducting post harvest training on how they should keep maize.
He said measures have been taken to address food insecurity.
“We are conducting training sessions on food budgeting to avoid food wastage. Besides, we advise people to preserve food for animals so that they should have enough time for cultivation instead of looking after animals,” he said.
Msiska further said they sensitise area development committees to ensure there is no theft of maize in their areas.
“We also advise people along rivers to try irrigation farming for food and money,” he said.
Group village head Kajeghere in Traditional Authority Mwankhunikira said they sensitise people on challenges they are likely to face if they sell maize.
“They will buy maize at a higher price than the price at which they sell to vendors,” he said. Malawi Vulnerability Assessment Committee (Mvac) report for 2019/20 season indicates that about one million Malawians will face hunger and that government needs K19.1 billion to buy relief food.
