Network warns of high maize prices
Family Early Warning Systems Network (FewsNet) has projected a rise in maize prices to K1 000 per kilogramme (kg) from October this year to January 2025
The projection is above the five-year average of K435 per kg and represents a 135 percent increase.
In its June 2024 to January 2025 Outlook, FewsNet is wary that Malawi Government does not have enough resources to restock its strategic grain reserves (SGRs).
The network, thus, fears the situation will further worsen food access for the poor who will face malnutrition and may not even pay school fees for their children.
FewsNet further said national production of maize has decreased by 23 percent with the South registering a 42 percent drop followed by the Centre with 17 percent and the North with 10 percent.
Reads the report: “Food consumption is expected to deteriorate, with many households likely consuming only one meal per day and having a less diverse diet, while others significantly reduce their food consumption.
“Incomes will be lower than average due to a reduction in labour opportunities, which will reduce the amount of food households are able to obtain through purchases.”
Besides, beginning October, four districts in the Centre, namely Lilongwe, Mchinji, Nkhotakota and Salima are projected to experience crisis outcomes.
FewsNet also said cities and towns with below-average income, limited employment opportunities amid high food prices, specifically Blantyre, Zomba, Lilongwe and Mzuzu are likely to be in food crisis.
Malawi is projected to have 2.9 million metric tonnes (MT) of maize against a requirement of 3.5 million MT.
FewsNet data shows that National Food Reserve Agency (NFRA) had 15 000MT of maize stocks in the SGR by end June while Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation (Admarc) purchased 6 000MT.
Thus, the network argued that even after this year’s procurement, NFRA and Admarc are likely to end up with well below-average stocks.
“The NFRA has reported a target of 82 000 MT in maize purchases for SGR stocking. This is compared to the target of 217 000 MT that the government and partners have set as the minimum SGR requirement in a consumption year,” reads the report.
Agriculture expert Leonard Chimwaza has since said besides engaging the private sector in intensive irrigation farming to produce more, the government needs to increase resources towards NFRA for maize purchase.
Meanwhile, Minister of Agriculture, Sam Kawale has said President Lazarus Chakwera already assured that all those in need will be supported through the Department of Disaster Management Affairs and social cash transfers, but will also invest in irrigation.
The Malawi Vulnerability Assessment Committee has said the number of people in need of food aid will increase from 4.2 million to 5.7 million during the lean period from October this year, further projecting escalation in food prices.
