The Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water development advise farmers not to sell farm produce particularly maize to vendors, saying they stand to lose out if they do so since the country has experienced a decreased in maize production.
MoAIWD Allan J. Chiyembekeza, during briefing of agricultural estimates production survey in Lilongwe Tuesday lament that maize production has decreased from 3,978,123 metric tons in the current agricultural season. According to results of the second round agriculture production estimates, this represent 27.7 percent decline in production. “The decline is mainly attributed to floods and prolonged dry spell that the country has experienced in the course of season. Therefore, registering decreases in other major food crops such as rice (13.6%, Millet 11%, Cassava 1.1%, and Sorghum 9.3%) hence hindering the country’s economy. However, potatoes and sweet potatoes have increased by 5.9% and 4.4% respectively”, said Chiyembekeza.
Chiyembekeza further ask farmers to diversify meals into other substitute to maize such rice, cassava and potatoes. Diversifying cash crops by growing different species such as pulses, which have registered slight increase by 0.6% while cotton and groundnuts have decreased by 31.4% and 21.8%, respectively is useful. The national maize requirement for the country is approximately 3 million metric tons for success of the agricultural industry. However, the implication of the reduction in maize production is that country will have a maize deficit of 123,340 metric tons, but the figures will be confirmed after the third round estimates.
In addition, Chiyembekeza appeal to the general public in view of the maize production deficit, to venture into irrigation farming immediately. Farmers should keep enough maize for food needs through the consumption season by practicing irrigation farming. This applies to those farming household that will be able to harvest. Where households are not sure on how to calculate household’s food requirement, they should consult agriculture staff within their communities.
Secretary for MoAIWD Erica Maganga, said the ministry has put in place several mitigation measures to avert looming hunger by promoting irrigation farming. Thus the ministry jointly with development partners, NGOs and private sectors are supporting smallholder farmers with potential for irrigation with various inputs to commence irrigation farming. The government with funding from the World Bank Multi-Donor Trust, fund amounting to about MK401 million (US$900,000) to promote the cassava and sweet potato production project. For instance, 140 metric tons of fertilizer is being distributed by Food Agriculture Organization (FAO) to facilitate the projects.
She said farmers should take care of the crops in the field, protect it from pesticides and ensure that all the maize is harvested in the proper manner. This is so to meet the minimum price of maize for this year at K80 for the first grade. Maganga said vendors are most likely to rush to growers and buy the maize at lower prices but sell the same to ginners at higher prices.
