Malawi: No Food Shortage in Malawi - Finance Minister

Finance Minister Goodall Gondwe

Finance Minister Goodall Gondwe said on Friday that the country will not experience any food scarcity as widely feared by many people in the wake of a dry spell that has affected most districts in the country.

Gondwe made the assurance in Parliament during the presentation of the 2017/18 mid - year budget review statement.

He said: "Discussing the current food situation, it must be borne in mind that as of now there is no food shortage in Malawi and that calamitous effects of dry spells and the fall armyworms Malawi is experiencing could impact on the country much later".

The finance minister said Admarc sold a small tonnage of maize that it purchased last season and that a total of approximately 90 000 metric tons of maize remain unsold, which constitutes part of the food reserve available in the country.

"Together with the amount of 182,000 tons purchased by the National Food Reserve Agency (NFRA), we have a total maize reserve of 272,000 metric tons. This is the highest level of food reserve the country has ever had," Gondwe said.

He, however, said some areas may experience food shortage and that people together with government need to prepare measures to mitigate the challenge.

Gondwe told the house that government has already set aside funds for Admarc and NFRA to purchase more maize grain amounting 200,000 metric tons.

Currently, an estimated 68,000 tons of maize is available around the country.