NFRA chief executive officer George Macheka told Zodiak that the extra K10 billion will assist to buy the required grain to serve the hunger situation.

He adds that they are expected to buy over 82,000 metric tonnes of maize this season and they will commence the procurement process on monday 13th May,2024.

"We have made all the necessary arrangements for a successful purchasing process in all our depots across the country's," Macheka said.

According to Macheka buying process equipment like moisture meters, scales and weigh bridges have all been certified by the Malawi Bureau of Standards (MBS).

"We are going to stick to K650 per Kilogram as the minimum farm gate price and will be having weekly reviews on the procurement processes," Macheka added.

Agriculture economist Dr. Horace Phiri from the Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR) has described the extra funds as key in hunger response.

In the 2024- 2025 national budget NFRA was allocated K12 billion to buy maize for replenishing the country’s strategic grain reserves.