By Isaac Salima, Feston Malekezo & Jarson Malowa
Maize sales in Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation (Admarc) markets commenced Thursday, albeit without the commodity in most of the markets, The Daily Times can reveal.
The Daily Times’ crew members toured some of the markets in Blantyre, Mzuzu and Zomba to appreciate Admarc’s readiness for maize sales.
In most markets, the grain was not there while, in others, the facilities were completely closed.
At Ndirande Admarc, we found officials idle as they waited to receive the precious commodity.
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This was also the case in Chilomoni, Limbe and Machinjiri.
At Zingwangwa, maize was available but officials said people did not come in large numbers to buy.
The maize is selling at K600 per kilogramme (kg) with officials rationing the sale to 10kg per person.
One of the people we found at Ndirande Market Admarc, Joseph Madeya, asked the government to ensure that it stocks markets with maize.
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“The situation is dire. Maize prices are still going high and our hope is now on Admarc. They should ensure that maize is available in markets,” he said.
In Zomba, there were no maize sales at Admarc as people went back home without the grain.
People started arriving at Zomba Admarc Depot at 5am but their faith in the institution was not rewarded.
“I come from Nachuma in Zomba Ntonya Constituency. I am saddened to note that there are no maize sales at Admarc today. Let’s hope that things will improve soon,” said Gladys Phiri, 38, of Kairu Village, Traditional Authority (TA) Chikowi, in the district.
Another concerned citizen, Chifundo Galasi, said he was depressed because he has no maize flour at his house, which is in TA Ntholowa, in Zomba.
In Mzuzu City, the situation was not different, as there was no change in levels of activity at the Admarc in the city.
People we talked to expressed concern that they had money with which to buy maize, but the commodity was nowhere to be seen.
In a related development, Agriculture Minister Sam Kawale visited Goliati Admarc depot in Thyolo, which had 700 (50kg) bags of maize in stock.
The minister assured the people of continued supply of the grain.
He further promised that the maize would be distributed to all Admarc depots across the country.
