She told Zodiak Online this morning that her people are sleeping on empty stomach as a result, saying vendors are selling a 50-kilogram bag of maize at K15,000 to K18,000.

She wants depots namely Mbwazi, Muona and Masenjere opened “in order to allow my subjects to have food in their homes.

"The request is being made due to the fact that we were affected by the Cyclone ANA as such our fields did not yield as anticipated.

"This in turn has resulted in my people to sleep on an empty stomach as they cannot afford to buy from the vendors whose prices are exorbitant on the market," reads part of the letter.

She confirmed writing the Admarc authorities in an interview saying, "yes I did. My people are complaining against the ban of closing admarc depots."

Admarc Chairperson, Alexander Kusamba Dzonzi, has confirmed receipt of the letter in question.

"We discussed the issue with Gogo Mlolo last week and I advised her to put it in writing which she did and I forwarded the same to PS Agriculture, Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry of Finance as you are aware that Admarc suspended maize sales locally and internationally.

"The Ministry of Agriculture has assured me that the ban on closure of Admarc depots will be lifted in the three depots but only Malawian households will access the maize," explained Dzonzi.

He added, "the PS for Agriculture will talk to me on the issue today and a letter allowing us to lift the ban will be issued."

He further disclosed that he will liaise with agriculture authorities to speed up assessment issues as some areas could also be facing the same.

"We want to save people from exploitation from vendors when they have maize in their Admarc depots."