Synod tells govt to bail out maize farmers

Church of Central Africa Presbyterian (CCAP) Synod of Livingstonia has asked government to help maize farmers who are selling the staple crop at a loss.

The synod’s general secretary the Reverend William Tembo said on Sunday during the opening of Viyele CCAP Church in Mzuzu that maize farmers in the country struggle to sell the staple grain at a reasonable price.

Tembo: They love their country.

| Euneas Zinyengo

According to the International Food Policy Research Institute (Ifpri), maize is now selling at K791 per kilogramme (kg) or K39 550 per 50kg bag from the post-harvest lowest price of K731 per kg in June.

However, the price of the staple was recorded at K1 169 per kg or K58 450 per 50kg bag during the same period last year.

Tembo said government should find solutions to set fair maize prices so that farmers can buy farm inputs for the forthcoming agricultural season.

He said: “For instance, farmers at Kameme in Chitipa District told me that they have plenty [of] maize in stock, but they fail to sell because of lower prices on the market.

“These farmers are close to Tanzania where they can easily sell at better prices, but they don’t do this because they love their country.”

Tembo said government should balance food security and farmer incentives by ensuring that maize remains affordable and available, while also offering prices that make its production sustainable.

In an interview later, he also decried the poor condition of Chiweta Section of the M1 in Rumphi District.

Tembo urged the contractor working on the Kacheche-Chiweta Lot of the M1 to shift construction works from Phwezi to Chiweta to contain road accidents and delays caused to fuel tankers.

In response to the call, Minister of Information, Communications and Technology Shadric Namalomba said government is aware of the challenges, but asked for patience.

“We are aware of the challenges. Government is assuring Malawians that it is fixing all challenges Malawians are facing, some inherited from the MCP [Malawi Congress Party] government last year.

“We therefore, appeal for their understanding and patience,” said Namalomba.

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