Business NewsEditors Pick

CfSC tips govt on taming maize prices

The Centre for Social Concern (CfSC) has asked government to support farmers in commercialising legume crops and ensure access to both domestic and international markets to ease pressure on the maize prices.

Malawi has of late  seen early pressure mounting on food prices, particularly maize, a situation which has pushed a kilogramme (kg) of maize to an average of K15 000 per 50 kg bag, which is K6 000 above government’s set minimum price.

For diversification: Mwanamvekha

In a statement made available to Business News, CfSC said although smallholder farmers have switched to legume production, unreliable markets demoralise them to step up legume production.

“In the MGDS [Malawi Growth and Development Strategy] III, government expects increased production of legumes and productivity, both in terms of yield and hectarage to intensify agricultural diversification. If this can be enhanced and implemented, not only will  our farmers also benefit, but the country will be food secure,” said CfSC.

The centre said government should also consider engaging companies such as Illovo Sugar (Malawi) which is already into irrigation farming to embark on winter cropping and revamp Press Agriculture Limited estates to cultivate maize during rainy season to ensure national food security. When presenting the 2019/20budget statement in Parliament, Minister of Finance, Economic Planning and Development Joseph Mwanamvekha said government wants to encourage diversification from tobacco and maize to other high value crops with export potential.

Related Articles

Back to top button