Government committed to addressing hunger, says Deputy Agriculture Minister Chambo

Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Benedicto Chambo, has assured Malawians that the government is actively working to combat hunger across the country through several strategic interventions, including the distribution of relief food.

Speaking on Sunday during a political rally held at Nsanje Ground in Mtandire, Lilongwe, Chambo emphasised that no citizen should go hungry under the current administration. 

The event was organised by Mtandire-Mtsiriza parliamentary aspirant George Zulu, who is seeking re-election.

“This is an ongoing initiative,” said Chambo. “It is the responsibility of the Ministry of Agriculture, along with the government, to ensure that people affected by hunger receive the assistance they need. President Lazarus Chakwera has already instructed the National Food Reserve Agency (NFRA) to procure adequate maize from local mega farms. In the coming months, this maize will be handed over to the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA) for nationwide distribution.”

Chambo also raised concerns about the fairness and transparency of food distribution efforts in some areas.

“We continue to receive complaints from various communities that the distribution process is often marred by favouritism and inefficiency. My appeal to local chiefs is to take an active role in ensuring that relief food reaches the intended beneficiaries,” he said.

Meanwhile, Member of Parliament for Mtandire-Mtsiriza, George Zulu, called on aspiring Malawi Congress Party (MCP) ward councillors Khembo (Mtandire) and Gift Kanong’ona (Mtsiriza) to demonstrate integrity and fairness in the handling of relief food and financial assistance if elected.

Zulu said the primary purpose of the rally was to rally support ahead of the upcoming elections scheduled for September 16, where he is seeking another term in office alongside President Chakwera.

“We are here to remind people of the importance of voting wisely,” Zulu said. “Our goal is to continue the work we’ve started and ensure that development and support reach every corner of our constituency.”