Farmers in BT harvesting green maize

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Maize-

Thieves have stolen green maize from a field owned by Chichiri Prison, raising fears among farmers in the city that they will not harvest anything if they leave their maize to mature in the fields.

Some farmers are reportedly harvesting the green maize to ensure that they do not become victims of theft.

Maize-In an interview, Chichiri prison’s Public Relations Officer, Mike Mpopo confirmed to have caught a man stealing maize from the prison’s garden and said the thief is now being kept at Soche Police.

He however emphasized that their field is well guarded.

This comes after Blantyre City Council issued a ban on the selling of green maize and threatened to arrest anyone involved in this business but no green maize related arrest has been reported despite the high supply of the maize at various markets and along the city’s roads.

When asked to comment on the lack of arrests, BCC Public Relations Officer, Anthony Kasunda changed tune saying “the intention is not to arrest people but to ensure practice is stopped so that we can protect crops in in the fields.”

Kasunda also dismissed vendors’ claims that those who are selling them the maize in bulk are obtaining permission from the council.

He however assured farmers in the city that the council through its enforcement team is working to enforce the ban which has been issued to protect their crops in the fields.