Government sets minimum farm gate price of maize at K150 per Kg

Ministry of agriculture has set a minimum farm gate price of maize at K150 per kilogramme for this year’s selling season.

Minister of Agriculture, Lobin Lowe disclosed this in Lilongwe during a press briefing for Agricultural produce for 2020 to 2021 growing season.

He said this year the gate price has been reduced by K50 from the precious set price of K 200 per kg owing to the cost of production which was paged at K120 per kg.

Lowe urged Agro-dealers, processors and other stakeholders dealing with marketing agricultural commodities to purchase the produce from farmers at no less than the set minimum prices.

“In conjunction with relevant authorities they would monitor and enforce compliance to the set minimum prices across the country,” Lowe

Chief Executive Officer for Farmers Union of Malawi (FUM), Jacob Nyirenda said they participated in the determination of the minimum farm gate prices through a transparent process.

He said for the country to benefit more there was need to allow Admarc to come in to the market early for the famers to benefit from their sales.

Civil Society Agriculture Network (CISANET), Pamela Kuwali said “Civil Society appreciates the enforcement mechanism which has been outlined that would involve Malawi Bureau of Standards and Police to monitor the sales.”

Head of Policy at National Smallholder Farmers Association of Malawi NASFAM, Beatrice Makwenda said smallholder framers voices were heard during the consultation process to come up with minimum prices.

She bemoaned late opening of agricultural makers saying this puts smallholder farmers are risk of selling their produce at give away prices.