Minister says Malawi needs US $16m to avert flood-induced food crisis

Malawi Agriculture and Food Security Minister Allan Chiyembekeza has said government needs at least e US $16m to distribute seed and other farm inputs in the flood affected areas several thousands of hectares of crop fields were washed away.

Government wants to use the money to distribute seed for early maturing food crop and other farm inputs like fertiliser to save the country from a food crisis.

Chiyembekeza said impact of the damage is huge to the country’s agriculture-economy.

“We are likely going to lose over 100,000 metric tonnes of crop yields from the floods,” said Chiyembekeza .

“The rainy season is still here and we hope if farmers can replant we will be able to salvage the situation,” he said.

President Peter Mutharika declared 16 of the country’s 28 districts ‘disaster areas’ and appealed for international assistance.

Paul Chiunguzeni, Secretary for Disaster Management Affairs, said while local and international donors have reacted positively there was still need for more assistance.