Hunger stricken Malawians number jump to 8.2 million

More Malawians will this year relief food than initially thought as the number of hunger stricken Malawians has jumped from 2.8 million to 8.2 million but the government says it is already working on the figure.

Women queue to buy maize at Zingwangwa Admarc depot
Women queue to buy maize at Zingwangwa Admarc depot

Agriculture minister George Chaponda told a meeting of stakeholders on Wednesday in Lilongwe that a new survey has now put the figure that high.

“The situation is under control. The government has moved in very swiftly to put the situation under control as we have ordered that all barriers and red tapes be removed so that Admarc and the National Food Reserve Agency (NFRA) buy all the maize themselves,” he said.

He said in the past, the government was buying the maize on behalf of the two state grain companies, saying doing so now would delay the process as the food is needed as soon as possible.

Chaponda also said the government has told Admarc to buy maize from ordinary people as well as traders and from elsewhere in Africa where maize can be found. T

he stakeholders at the meeting included chiefs who hailed the government for the decision and for coming out open on the matter.

President Peter Mutharika recently declared Malawi a state of national disaster following El Nino powered floods in the north and drought in the south.

Chaponda said Admarc would handle the sell of maize in its depots professionally this time around.

Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV :

Sharing is caring!

Follow us in Twitter
7 Comments
newest
oldest most voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Peter Mahowa
Peter Mahowa
8 years ago

Malawians we should wake up we can avoid hunger by intensifying irrigation of the staple food both at government and individual levels. Admarc, NFRA and all smallholder farmers should go irrigation. This advice should go to the president as well. The funds being used on FISP should be channeled to irrigation as well. This is the alternative to the current food problem the country is facing. I would have loved to send advice direct to the president but I do not have his FB

Nyani wa ku Mwananyani
Nyani wa ku Mwananyani
8 years ago

Chaponda is the best choice for this ministry at this juncture. He tells the truth, and fears no failure. He knows the landscape even in that Ministry; and he’s not amused.
We are hoping he minimizes corruption, especially at ADMARC. The future will still be tough, but at least we can count on Achimwene for unrelenting efforts. The brass in his ministry should check with their buddies, and really know the Bwana. He’s fair, assured and confident; but he can be tough, if need be!

john
john
8 years ago

Devils at work again!!!! Oh Lord, have Mercy on Malawi.

jeff
jeff
8 years ago

MALAWIANS SHOULD WAKE UP..

MANY WILL DIE.. THE WRITING WAS ON THE WALL FROM THE TIMEV
DPP TOOK OFFICE

Hede
Hede
8 years ago

Kwesi # 1, if you want to be ruled by an angel, be one. Since can’t reign in hell.

Mwanache
Mwanache
8 years ago

This is your final attempt to prove your capability to handle disasters. Ensure that the maize is available and Admarc officials are not hiding it from ordinary people. Otherwise, Malawians will not give you a dammy. The alarm from the survey is timely and make sure you do the needful including control of prices just as Bingu last time.

Kwesi
Kwesi
8 years ago

Where there is no vision, people perish. Where the devil is ruling people perish. Lord remove the devil from amomg us.

Read previous post:
Malawi court orders govt to possess six ‘cashgate’ buses

The High Court in Lilongwe has ordered the government to take possession of six buses which have been parked at...

Close