Maize crisis deepens as vendors buy in bulk

Maize vendors are colluding with some Admarc officials to buy maize in bulk despite the institution’s rationing of the grain.

Nation on Sunday conducted spot-checks in some Admarc depots in Nsanje, Chikwawa, Neno, Mwanza, Blantyre, Mulanje, Thyolo, Phalombe, Balaka, Chiradzulu, Machinga, Ntcheu, Mangochi, Salima, Nkhotakota, Nkhata Bay and Karonga which revealed the bulk purchases by the vendors.

The spot-checks were done through correspondents, sources and interviews with people involved in districts where the Admarc depots have been opened for the first phase.

In one instance, a prospective buyer Nation on Sunday interviewed, was able to arrange with an official in Chikwawa on Friday to buy five bags. He was told to pay an extra K2 000 on every bag.

The buyer, a vendor at Dyeratu Market in the district who preferred to remain anonymous, bought four bags from the five he requested.

“If you have the money, it’s easy to buy two or more bags. It’s possible,” said the vendor.

Nation on Sunday also established that vendors were using ordinary people to buy maize for them.

The State’s agricultural produce trader is limiting maize sales in its depots to 25 kilogrammes (kg) per person in a bid to ensure that many people access the grain, which is being sold at K600 per kg.

The depots were partially reopened due to food shortages in some parts of the country, a result of a poor harvest compounded by the effects of Cyclone Freddy in March this year.

Innocent Mkoche, from Ngabu in Chikwawa District, expressed frustration last week, stating that the tendency to allow some vendors to buy the maize without rationing is affecting ordinary people who cannot afford maize from the markets due to high prices.

“For instance, when 300 bags arrive, half of them are sold to vendors and by the time we go to buy, only a few bags are left,” he said.

In Karonga and Nkhata Bay, maize vendors were reportedly purchasing the grain at K600 and selling it at K800 per kg.

Nkhata Bay resident  Kondwani Mzumara raised concern last Wednesday that the vendors were depleting maize stocks in Admarc depots.

“They are depriving ordinary Malawians of the chance to purchase maize at lower prices compared to what these vendors are offering,” he said.

Janet Kachimanga from Mangochi raised a similar concern, fearing that the situation would worsen the hunger crisis.

Ezekiel Mapemba from Zingwangwa in Blantyre urged authorities to do something to arrest the malpractice.

“I hope something will be done so that ordinary Malawians benefit,” he opined

Admarc’s board chairperson Zachary Kasomekera declined to comment on the issue, referring it to the parastatal’s management.

He said: “As you are well aware, the board is specifically mandated with policy matters. Indeed, it is the board’s policy to provide service to the community. However, the implementation of policy is the responsibility of management.”

When contacted, Admarc spokesperson Agness Chikoko asked for more time before responding.

However, on Wednesday, Chikoko stated that a team had been dispatched to various districts to investigate.

Parliamentary Committee on Agriculture chairperson Sameer Suleman described the situation as a joke and insisted that the government must act on the matter.

He stressed the need for commitment in addressing the issue for the benefit of Malawians who are struggling to purchase maize in ordinary markets due to the high prices set by vendors.

Suleman emphasised that this commitment should start with President Lazarus Chakwera and extend to the Ministry of Agriculture and Admarc as an entity.

He said: “I am surprised that the President does not seem concerned with this Admarc maize issue.

“This is related to the welfare of the same people that he promised during his campaign to assist by ensuring that Admarc would perform better.

“He is now neglecting Admarc and doesn’t appear interested in resolving these issues. Admarc supports Malawians during times of hunger and it is disheartening to see it declining.”

Suleman urged the government to “wake up” and support the parastatal to ensure deserving Malawians benefit from the maize purchases.

When asked if the Ministry of Agriculture, as a policyholder, is aware of the situation, Minister of Agriculture Sam Kawale referred Nation on Sunday back to Admarc management.

In the current phase of maize purchases, 12 640 metric tonnes (MT) of maize are expected to be sold.

The Southern Region anticipates to sell 10 170 MT, the Central Region 1 320 MT and the North 1 150 MT.

This year, Admarc was not involved in maize procurement as this function was undertaken by the National Food Reserve Agency.