ADMARC Public Relations Officer, Agnes Chikoko, says in the meantime, they are still purchasing the grain from vendors in the central and northern regions as the ministry is yet to set selling price.

“We are unable to start selling in fear of vendors who would come to buy from us at K150 per kilogram and resell it to us at a higher price of K200 Kwacha per kilogram as the grain selling entity do subsidize it by K50," she said.

The situation has forced people in Ntchisi, especially in the area of Traditional Authority Kasakula, Ntsiru and Kalumo to survive on premature cassava tubers.

Some people in Ntchisi district, such as Josiah Chunga of Traditional Authority Kasakula, are unable to buy the staple grain from vendors due to higher price of K270 per kilogram.

In Dowa, people of traditional authorities Kayembe and Dzoole are surviving on mangoes whilst in Salima.