By Daniel Zimba:
The government has announced that it will begin selling maize at K46,000 per 50 (kg) bag.
Minister of State Alfred Gangata made the announcement in ‘Times Talk’, a Times Radio programme.
He said this on Thursday, when he indicated that the government was in the process of procuring 200,000 metric tonnes (mt) of maize from neighbouring Zambia to supplement local supplies.
“We are committed to making sure that every Malawian can access food. The procurement of 200,000 metric tonnes is a significant step and we will also purchase maize from our own farmers,” Gangata said.
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The minister faulted the previous administration for delaying to supply affordable fertiliser during the 2024-25 farming season, saying this had contributed to food insecurity in the country.
“The previous government played a role in this crisis by failing to provide timely access to vital agricultural inputs.
“However, just weeks into office, Professor Peter Mutharika’s administration is already making concerted efforts to alleviate hunger among our citizens,” Gangata said.
Recently, the Malawi Vulnerability Assessment Committee released findings that indicated that around four million Malawians could face food shortages between October 2025 and March 2026.
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The assessment, which was completed in July 2025, indicated that approximately six million people were already struggling to meet basic needs by the time of the assessment, recommending that households which are affected by hunger should start receiving food relief by October 2025.
Commenting inside the radio programme, Justin Mtemula from Traditional Authority Liwonde in Machinga District lauded the government for its efforts.
“Regardless of where the maize comes from, we just need food that can be accessed by everyone considering that hunger has reached critical levels in many areas of the country,” Mtemula said.
Conversely, Zomba District farmer Elisha Phiri urged the government to prioritise purchasing maize from local farmers at a sustainable price.
He said relying on imports could disincentivize farmers.
