Govt. asked to abandon Malata subsidy and focus on agriculture

As debate continues on the maize price in Admarc depots of the country, a local agricultural expert has urged government to suspend Malata-cement subsidy and use the funds for lowering price of the staple grain in Malawi.

The expert, Tamani Nkhono-Mvula, argued that the debate on maize can come to an end if government is to implement a plan that cannot hurt victims of hunger.

Mvula who is the national coordinator for Civil Society Agricultural Network (Cisanet) said the country should suspend the subsidy programs to avert hunger situation as millions of people are food insecure.

“Why can’t we suspend the Malata cement subsidy for two years so that we can use the funds to lower the price of maize in the country” said Nkhono-Mvula.

His sentiments follow a controversial debate over the introduced maize price per 50 kilograms (Kg) bag that has been pegged at K12,500.

While some people have commended government for the price arguing that Admarc will be able to recover the money used in buying the grains from neighboring countries, others have argued that the price is not favourable to citizens in rural areas.

Opposition parties and some stakeholders expressed discomfort over the price of maize arguing that the poor cannot buy the grains at the newly introduced price.

However, American ambassador to Malawi Virginia Palmer welcomed the maize prize saying it can help to recover the money used for the purchase.

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