Spokesperson for the state grain marketer, Agnes Chikoko Ndobvi says as at September end, they had a total allocation of 12, 640 metric tons and 6, 811 metric tons were distributed in the selling points.

ADMARC opened the markets in August this year.

However, Zodiak Online has observed that for over two weeks now the ADMARC has not stocked all the depots in Thyolo with maize or rice.

On this, Ndobvi says she needed to cross-check before commenting.

Meanwhile, on Wednesday, senior chief Nsabwe of the district has expressed concern that hunger is biting his subjects as ADMARC only stocked the area's selling points with maize twice.

Chief Nsabwe claimed that most of his people are sleeping on empty stomach, calling on the corporation to ensure that there is more maize in the selling points now that vendors are selling a 50 kilograms bag at K45, 000.

"Some people were relying on pigeon peas to eat and sell to buy maize from vendors. Now that the peas have been used up...I can say that many are going to bed while hungry," he said.

Meanwhile, in a bid to cushion Malawians from hunger, the government has launched the lean season maize distribution exercise in some districts, something senior chief Nsabwe says requires speed to scale up.

According to the Malawi Vulnerability Assessment Committee (MVAC) report, 4.4 million Malawians are facing hunger.