Malawi’s Minister of Agriculture Assures No One Will Die of Hunger Amid Food Security Concerns
Malawi’s Minister of Agriculture, Sam Kawale, has reassured the country’s citizens that no one will die of hunger, despite concerns of food insecurity caused by the impact of El Nino and erratic rainfall. Speaking in Parliament in Lilongwe, Kawale emphasized the government’s commitment to ensuring food security, particularly for vulnerable communities.
The government, through the National Food Reserve Agency (NFRA), is storing 35,000 metric tonnes of maize, which will be used to address food security challenges faced by vulnerable communities. The maize will also help stabilize the market during price fluctuations. Additionally, ADMARC, a state-owned agricultural marketing company, currently holds 31,000 metric tons of maize for direct sale to the public, particularly in areas with limited food access, to stabilize prices.
Kawale announced that the government has secured an additional MK10 billion (approximately USD 13.3 million) in funding to procure more maize to meet existing and anticipated demand. The procurement process is ongoing, with a focus on acquiring local and regional maize to replenish stocks before the lean season.
The Malawi Vulnerability Assessment Committee (MVAC) has evaluated the food security situation and identified approximately 5.7 million people across the country who are food insecure. This alarming statistic represents a significant portion of the population requiring immediate food assistance to combat hunger and malnutrition. The MVAC estimates that these food-insecure households will require 261,574.29 metric tonnes of maize to fulfill their food needs throughout the programme, including in-kind food distributions.
To address this challenge, the government is exploring further imports and alternative strategies to bolster its reserves. The National Food Reserve Agency (NFRA) will also off-take maize from some commercial farmers, with over USD 6.8 million already secured.
Kawale’s reassurance comes as a relief to Malawians, who have been facing food insecurity concerns. The government’s efforts to ensure food security and stability will be closely monitored to ensure that the country’s most vulnerable populations receive the support they need.