Chichewa

Fewsnet warns of maize price spike

National food stocks, currently at a minimum of 60 000 tonnes, according to Famine Early Warning System (Fewsnet), are going to be under pressure and prompt  a rise in prices because of recent floods that hit Malawi’s 15 districts.

The pressure, says Fewsnet, could push maize prices by up to 10 percent.

Maize silos: Floods will put pressure on the grain banks
Maize silos: Floods will put pressure on the grain banks

The Fewsnet January 2015 report estimates that national stocks, at about 60 000 tonnes, are adequate to meet national food requirement until next harvest in June.

In January this year, the country experienced rainstorms and flooding that killed about 200 people, displaced hundreds of thousands, destroyed livestock and about 35 000 hectares of agricultural land in 15 of the 28 districts, forcing government to declare the affected districts disaster areas.

This means that additional food needs for households affected by the flooding are likely to put a strain on the national food stock levels since they are currently at the minimum required level of 60 000 tonnes, according to the report.

The Fewsnet report has noted that despite markets having adequate supplies of maize, with most of the unpaved roads and bridges damaged by the heavy rains, supply routes to remote markets in southern Malawi will be disrupted, thereby limiting food supplies in markets and likely pushing prices up for households that rely on markets for their food purchases.

Civil Society Agriculture Network (Cisanet) national director Tamani Nkhono-Mvula earlier said to mitigate the effects of the floods, there is need to replant early maturing maize varieties that could also take advantage of the residual moisture to grow.

“To avert a hunger crisis, farmers should plant drought tolerant crops such as cassava, sweet potatoes, millet and sorghum.

“We understand that these crops may not always do well in all the affected areas. We, therefore, call upon the extension service to advise the farmers accordingly,” he said.

Nkhono-Mvula said farmers may also plant rice in all water-logged areas, especially along the lake shore and lower shire.

Projecting on prices, Fewsnet report  has noted that while prices for maize have been lower by about 30 percent, national maize prices are likely to rise by about 10 percent between January and March and remain stable between April and June this year.

However, the report noted that maize prices between April and June are expected to be approximately the same as last year, but about 50 percent above the five-year average.

Fewsnet has since cautioned that the scenario could change due to continued rain storms and flooding, which could disrupt transportation of humanitarian assistance and disrupt farming activities.

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