Tag Archives: Malawi’s food crisis

The selling of rotten Admarc maize was hypocritical

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation (Admarc) has said it will distribute 21,000 metric tonnes of maize in its custody to all its depots from next week.

This came as a surprise as, in the 2022-23 rain-fed agriculture season, the grain trader did not buy maize from farmers in the country.

Admarc Chief Executive Officer Dan Makata told The Daily Times that preparations to start distributing the maize have been finalised.

Makata said the maize would be sold at MK600 per kilogramme.

Makata confirmed that Admarc had maize in stock and that they were ready to open their markets the following week.

People were advised to expect to buy maize from admarc at an affordable price as always.

Admarc was drawing the SGR [Strategic Grain Reserves] maize which had been bought by the National Food Reserves Agency in 2023.

Dangers

The dangers of eating rotten food include: Meningitis. Kidney damage. Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which can cause kidney failure. Arthritis. Brain and nerve damage.

Some people with the infection die and death can occur in as little as a few hours. However, most people recover from bacterial meningitis. Those who do recover can have permanent disabilities, such as brain damage, hearing loss, and learning disabilities.15

What happens when your kidney function is low? A severe decrease in kidney function can lead to a buildup of toxins and impurities in the blood.

This can cause people to feel tired, weak and can make it hard to concentrate. Another complication of kidney disease is anemia, which can cause weakness and fatigue.

Symptoms of HUS include vomiting, bloody diarrhea (loose stool/poop), stomach pain, fever, chills, and headache. As infection progresses, persons may experience fatigue, weakness, fainting, bruising, and paleness.

Hemolysis can lead to hemoglobinemia due to hemoglobin released into the blood plasma, which plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of sepsis and can lead to increased risk of infection due to its inhibitory effects on the innate immune system.

Without dialysis or a kidney transplant, kidney failure is fatal. You may survive a few days or weeks without treatment.

If you’re on dialysis, the average life expectancy is five to 10 years. Some people can live up to 30 years on dialysis.

What are the first warning signs of kidney failure? Depending on how severe it is, loss of kidney function can cause: Nausea. Vomiting. Loss of appetite. Fatigue and weakness. Sleep problems. Urinating more or less. Decreased mental sharpness. Muscle cramps.

However, in rheumatoid arthritis the inflammation and extra fluid in a joint can cause the following problems: It can make moving the joint difficult and painful. Chemicals in the fluid can damage the bone and joint. The extra fluid can stretch the joint capsule.

The most common arthritis symptoms and signs include: Joint pain. Stiffness or reduced range of motion (how far you can move a joint). Swelling (inflammation). Skin discoloration. Tenderness or sensitivity to touch around a joint. A feeling of heat or warmth near your joints.

Brain and nerve damage: A Listeria infection can lead to meningitis, an inflammation of the membranes surrounding the brain. If a newborn infant is infected with Listeria, long-term consequences may include mental retardation, seizures, paralysis, blindness or deafness.

Adults should see a health care provider or get emergency care if the following occur: Nervous system symptoms, such as blurry vision, muscle weakness and tingling of skin. Changes in thinking or behavior. Fever of 103 degrees Fahrenheit (39.4 degrees Celsius).

How long does it take for rotten food to make you sick?

Illness often starts in about 1 to 3 days. But symptoms can start any time from 30 minutes to 3 weeks after eating contaminated food. The length of time depends on the type of bacteria or virus causing the illness. Each person’s symptoms may vary.

Conclusion

In December, Malawi’s government banned the import of unmilled maize grain from Kenya and Tanzania because of concerns that the spread of MLN could wipe out the country’s staple crop.

The ministry of agriculture said the disease has no treatment and can cause up to 100% yield loss.

It is therefore ironical to see our own actions when admarc sold rotten Maize to its own people, ignoring all the dangers attached to rotten I’ll food.

People who say they hate rotten food but always sell the same rotten food? They are engaging in hypocrisy, or behavior that is different from what they say they believe.

We have a hypocritical government is a which practices hypocrisy: what they say is not what they do.

How to restore Malawi’s food basket prowess

By Twink Jones Gadama

The Malawi government can take several steps to ensure food security within the country. The columnist looks at several factors that can help the country say goodbye to hunger.

Improve agricultural practices

The government can provide training and support to farmers, promoting modern and sustainable farming techniques to increase crop yields. This could include educating farmers on better irrigation methods, effective fertilization, pest control, and crop rotation.

Enhance infrastructure

Developing rural infrastructure is crucial for efficient agricultural production. The government can invest in building and maintaining roads, storage facilities, and irrigation systems. Accessible infrastructure enables farmers to transport their produce to markets and store surplus crops for future consumption or sale.

Promote diversification

Encouraging farmers to cultivate diverse crops can reduce reliance on a single staple crop and enhance overall food security. Crop diversity helps mitigate the risks associated with climate change, pests, and diseases that can devastate a single crop. The government can provide incentives, subsidies, and technical assistance to promote crop diversification.

Strengthen market linkages

Enabling farmers to access local and regional markets effectively can improve their income and incentivize production. The government can establish market information systems, facilitate fair market competition, and support the development of cooperatives or farmer organizations.

Implement social safety nets

Establishing social protection programs, such as cash transfers or subsidized food schemes, can directly alleviate immediate food needs for vulnerable populations. These programs offer temporary relief during difficult times and ensure basic nutritional requirements are met.

Invest in research and development

The government can allocate resources towards agricultural research and development to improve seed varieties, develop drought-resistant crops, and enhance farm productivity. This investment will help address specific challenges faced by Malawian farmers and contribute to long-term food security.

By implementing these measures and adopting a holistic approach involving multiple sectors, the Malawi government can work towards achieving food security and reducing hunger in the country.

Feedback: Jonesgadama@gmail.com