CAMA plans to engage Chakwera to intervene the rising cost of Maize

The Consumers Association of Malawi (CAMA) are planning to engage the President Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera to intervene the rising cost of Maize in Admarc to ensure that people are able to buy the staple foods at an affordable price.

Malawi Government some days ago announced the increase of Maize price in Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation (ADMARC) depots from K205 to K300 per kilogram.

Ministry of Agriculture Principal Secretary Sandram Maweru confirmed the hike in a letter dated 29 July and addressed to ADMARC acting general manager.

A 50killogram bag of maize is now being sold at K15,000, an price that many Malawians who are already struggling due a rise in prices of other basic commodities can find it hard to afford.

Reacting to Admarc’s move, CAMA executive director John Kapito says it is unfortunate that instead of cushioning Malawians from the sconomic woes government is increasing the price of Maize.

Kapito said the expectation were that government would subsidise the price of Maize to help citizens to afford buying the staple grains and have food amidst economic woes.

“We expected that government would take into consideration that the high cots of living is mess because of prices of food and food like Maize which is a staple food should be the priority to subsidise.”

Centre for Social concern economic governance programme Director Bernard Mphepo said the hike in Maize price would trigger the rise in cost of living.

Mphepo said, “This is really sad development because the rise in prices would easily rise the cost of living.”

Meanwhile, Ministry of Agriculture has asked Admarc officials not to sell maize to vendors.

Secretary for the ministry, Sandram Maweru, said this in a statement in which the ministry announced the hike of Maize price saying priority should go to deserving Malawians.