Weak enforcement of adherence to Malawi Government-set minimum farm-gate prices for agricultural produce coupled with limited awareness have left farmers at the mercy of unscrupulous traders, it has emerged.
The Nation observations show that despite Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development releasing farm-gate prices that peg the price of maize at K900 per kilogramme (kg), some vendors are buying the grain from vulnerable smallholder farmers at as low as K700 per kg.
The farmers’ plight is worsened by delayed funding to State produce trader Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation (Admarc) Limited which guarantees them purchases at recommended prices.
Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development Roza Mbilizi yesterday referred The Nation to the ministry’s spokesperson Salome Gangire when asked for measures to enforce the farm-gate prices. However, Gangire asked for more time to comment.
Market in Chiradzulu. | Jonathan Pasungwi
On the other hand, National Police spokesperson Liel Chimtembo declined to comment, saying the ministry is better placed to address enforcement of farm-gate prices.
But agricultural policy expert Tamani Nkhono Mvula blamed the situation on weak enforcement and limited farmer awareness.
“Farmers often sell under pressure to meet immediate needs, which weakens their bargaining power. Without government intervention, the imbalance between farmers and vendors will persist, leaving farmers vulnerable to exploitation,” he said.
In an interview yesterday, Mzuzu University economics lecturer Christopher Mbukwa noted that an influx of maize onto the market is pushing prices down, but said smallholder farmers were being exploited.
“Most small-scale farmers need quick cash, so they accept whatever price is offered,” he said.
Scotland-based Malawian economist Velli Nyirongo said immediate financial pressures such as the need to pay for food, school fees and other essentials are forcing farmers to sell early at lower prices.
He said lack of penalties and enforcement mechanisms make the minimum price largely ineffective.
“Farmers in remote areas, with limited access to structured markets, are particularly disadvantaged,” said Nyirongo.
Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development last week released the 2025/26 farm gate prices for various crops, including maize whose price translates to K45 000 per 50kg bag.
Besides maize, the farm gate prices set rice at K1 500 per kg, pure beans at K3 400 per kg, soya beans at K1 700 per kg, shelled groundnuts at K3 500 per kg, sorghum at K1 100 per kg, pigeon peas at K1 500 per kg and milk at K1 000 per litre.
Admarc chief executive officer Ben Botolo attributed the delay to go on the market to funding constraints, saying the corporation is still waiting for about K40 billion from the 2025/26 National Budget.
He said: “We are ready, but we are waiting for the Ministry of Agriculture to release the funds. We are aware that most farmers in the Southern Region have already harvested their produce, particularly maize.
“But once the funds are released, we will immediately move in to stabilise the market and support farmers.”
Botolo said the funding package includes K20 billion for recapitalisation and another K20 billion for maize purchases for the Strategic Grain Reserve.
