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7,000 mt of Maize Rotten

The grain marketer told the Agriculture and Natural Resources Parliamentary Cluster Committee that the country needs some 96,000 tons of maize to feed citizens until the next harvest season next year The grain marketer told the Agriculture and Natural Resources Parliamentary Cluster Committee that the country needs some 96,000 tons of maize to feed citizens until the next harvest season next year - File photo

It has transpired that 7 thousand metric tons of maize which ADMARC purchased within the country in 2015 has rotten in its reserves.

 ADMARC is now said to be selling the maize to traders on the market.

The grain marketer told the Agriculture and Natural Resources Parliamentary Cluster Committee that the country needs some 96,000 tons of maize to feed citizens until the next harvest season next year.

The parliamentary agriculture committee met with officials from the National Food Reserve Agency-NFRA and ADMARC on Tuesday.

During the meeting, ADMARC CEO Margret Mauwa insisted the maize was only discoloured and is being sold to traders.

“The 7,000 metric tons is worth 1.4 billion,” said Mauwa.

Chairperson for the parliamentary committee, Welani Chilenga cautioned ADMARC to desist from selling the discolored maize because it is not fit for human consumption.

The parliamentary committee also enquired why ADMARC distributed 600 bags of maize to a number of parliamentarians and not Malawians who are the intended beneficiaries.

“The maize was distributed to DODMA and not MPs. Currently, ADMARC is in the process of transferring maize from the northern to the southern Region to carter for a deficit there,” Muwa said.

She said the country requires 96 thousand metric tons of maize to feed citizens to the next harvest season, saying buying that maize locally will require 24 billion kwacha.

Mauwa said ADMARC will be waiting for a nod from the public procurement and disposal of assets authority to award contracts to suppliers.

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