By Wezzie Gausi:
The Treasury has injected K15 billion into National Food Reserves Agency (NFRA) meant for payment to farmers that supplied grain to the entity.
According to NFRA, the entity owed suppliers about K9 billion, which has been squared already.
NFRA Chief Executive Officer George Macheka said Thursday that said the remaining K6 billion would be used to procure more grains for the Strategic Grain Reserves.
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He said as things stand, the agency had 75,000 of grain in the silos.
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“Through the partnership with the Mega Farms programme, NFRA continues to champion local production, stabilise maize supply and deliver substantial financial returns to farmers, [thereby] contributing to the growth and development of Malawi’s agricultural sector.
“We are still buying maize from both mega farms and walk-in [sellers]. Let farmers be encouraged to bring their grains as we have resources to buy and store the maize for future use,” Macheka said.
Meanwhile, Parliamentary Committee on Agriculture Chairperson Sameer Suleman has lauded NFRA for continuing to buy maize.
“However, considering that there is hunger in the country, it is better that the maize that has been procured should be distributed to people who are dying of hunger. We have all heard reports on how people are dying of hunger in the country. With such quantities of maize at NFRA, it is better to save dying Malawians by providing them with food.
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“By the way, this money has been given to NFRA. We are hoping that the Treasury will release funds for AIP [Affordable Inputs Programme] as soon as possible,” Suleman said.
Meanwhile, NFRA has said it is preparing to sign additional off-taking agreements with mega farmers for the upcoming rainy season, expanding the scope of the partnership and further solidifying maize supply.
