This was noted on Wednesday and Thursday when deputy minister of agriculture and food security, Chimwemwe Chipungu, visited some depots in Mwanza, Neno, Chiradzulo, Thyolo and Mulanje.

“We promised farmers that ADMARC will buy their maize at a better price and we are fulfilling this but is just unfortunate some depots have run out of cash. Government does not want to see farmers returning home with their produce,” said Chipungu.

He said the Ministry will ensure that all ADMARC depots are adequately funded to ensure that no any farmer returns home with his or her produce from the depot.

The Minister also warned ADMARC clerks against demanding money from farmers for them to access the market saying that is a crime.

Speaking to Zodiak in an interview ADMARC Public Relations Manager, Agnes Ndovie, “once the depots have run out of cash, clerks report to relevant office at our head office and they are funded within a day or two.”

She said apart from maize, ADMARC has this year prepared to buy all produce from farmers that include cotton, pigeon peas and soya beans.

On 7th, April, 2020 government released the 2019/2020 farm gate prices of some commodities and maize has been put at a minimum price of K200 per kilogram.