Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation (Admarc) Acting Chief Executive Officer, Felix Jumbe, revealed that the state-owned grain trader has targeted to buy at least 20% of the total maize tonnage which Malawi is expected to harvest this year.

“We are buying as much as we can to ensure that 20% of the estimated production is under our roof. We are soliciting funds and designing modalities on how we can deal with real farmers on the ground,” he said.

On the other hand, during the mid-year budget statement, Finance Minister, Joseph Mwanamvekha, outlined that funds are available for Admarc to go onto the market on time, hence the State-owned grain trader must buy maize on time, to avoid unscrupulous traders taking advantage of the situation to rip off growers. According to Mwanamvekha, resources for maize purchase have been maintained at K10 billion of which K3.0 billion was spent during the first half. “A total of K9.2 billion has been earmarked for maize purchase during the second half comprising K7.0 billion budget balance and K2.2 billion realised from Admarc maize sales. These funds, Madam Speaker, will be used to start early purchasing of maize from smallholder farmers.” Mwanamveka told the August House.