Malawi is set to tackle food shortages affecting 4.4 million people by initiating the importation of maize flour from Tanzania and South Africa.
Charles Kalemba, the Commissioner for the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA), revealed this information to reporters in Lilongwe, Malawi’s capital. This announcement coincided with President Lazarus Chakwera’s meeting with Menghestab Haile, the World Food Programme’s Regional Director for the Southern Africa Bureau, at the president’s office.
Kalemba’s statements clarified the earlier controversy stemming from Malawi’s suspension of maize imports from Tanzania and Kenya due to concerns about Maize Lethal Necrosis, a threatening crop disease. Local researchers warned about the disease’s potential to devastate the staple crop if left unchecked.
Previous reports in Malawi’s media had suggested that the World Bank allocated $20 million to procure maize from Tanzania to aid Malawi’s needy population. However, these reports also highlighted obstacles related to the importation ban imposed.
Addressing these concerns, the DoDMA commissioner emphasized that Malawi had resolved to import maize flour from Tanzania, rather than the grain form of the staple food.
He confirmed that the Malawian government, in collaboration with the WFP and the World Bank, is expediting the importation of maize flour from Tanzania and South Africa, aiming to commence the process by the coming weekend.
“We are procuring maize flour from Tanzania and South Africa. While the Ministry of Agriculture’s concern is about full grain maize for planting, acquiring maize in the form of flour is deemed acceptable,” Kalemba stated.
He further added, “By this weekend or the following week, we anticipate the arrival of maize flour from Tanzania and South Africa, securing the much-needed support provided by the World Bank.”
The escalating food insecurity in Malawi has been exacerbated by the Kwacha’s depreciation by 44 percent in early November. Consequently, the price of a 50-kg bag of maize, which stood at 12,000 Malawian Kwacha (approximately USD 7.13) a year ago, has surged to between 50,000 and 60,000 Malawian Kwacha (around $29.71 to USD 35.66).
