By Suleman Chitera
Leader of opposition parties in Parliament, Simplex Chithyola Banda, has raised alarm over delays by the Ministry of Agriculture in announcing farm produce buying prices, warning that the situation is exposing farmers to exploitation by private traders.
Chithyola Banda said the delay comes at a critical time when farmers across the country have already begun harvesting their crops. He noted that, in the absence of officially gazetted minimum prices, vendors have taken advantage of the uncertainty to start purchasing produce from farmers at significantly low prices.
According to the opposition leader, the government’s silence is not only creating confusion in the agricultural market but also undermining farmers’ bargaining power. He stressed that without clear price guidance, smallholder farmers—who form the backbone of Malawi’s agriculture sector—risk losing out on fair value for their produce after months of hard work.
“This delay is unacceptable,” Chithyola Banda emphasized, adding that timely communication of prices is essential to protect farmers from unscrupulous traders and stabilize the market.
In response, Minister of Agriculture, Roza Mbilizi, assured the nation that the government is finalizing the pricing structure and that the official farm gate prices will be released before the end of the week.
Mbilizi also indicated that the state-run ADMARC is fully prepared to roll out its crop purchasing exercise. She said ADMARC’s involvement will provide farmers with a reliable market and help regulate prices across the country.
Agricultural stakeholders say the timely release of prices is crucial in ensuring transparency and fairness in the market. Delays, they warn, often create loopholes that benefit middlemen at the expense of farmers.
As pressure mounts on the Ministry of Agriculture, farmers and market players alike are now watching closely, hoping the government will act swiftly to restore order and protect livelihoods during this critical harvesting period.
