23/10/2025
Well, much as this is a good development for our starving population, it poses a serious threat to the future of farmers in the country. In Zambia, maize is sold at an approximate MK540.00/KG. This means that the maize the Malawi government has bought is below MK30,000 per 50KG bag and shall be sold at a lower price as well, probably MK35,000-MK40,000.
Now, since most farmers are in central Malawi, while most hunger stricken families are mostly in Southern Malawi, demand for maize is often higher in the southern part of Malawi which are often the offtakers for the produce from the central region.
Politically, the procured maize will be made available in the southern region at a cheaper price so as to force the farmers in the central region to lower their prices as well.
This is a tragedy in the waiting. Considering the production costs for the past season, and the budgeted production costs for the upcoming season most farmers will be in a fix.
Lets wait and see.