Parliament has asked the Agriculture Development and Marketing Cooperation (Admarc) to consider improving on the maize purchasing process which is currently underway in the country.

Speaking during a surprise visit to Malangalanga ADMARC depot in Lilongwe, Chairperson for the Parliamentary Committee on Agriculture Sameer Suleiman said his Committee opted for the unannounced visit after being tipped on the delay of the maize buying process.

Suleiman has asked the state grain trader to also purchase maize from farmers in their respective localities.

“We have received complaints from the farmers and traders that are bringing maize that they is delays in offloading and buying but I should say that we have been assured that the matter will be resolved by tomorrow,” confirmed Suleiman.

ADMARC`s Regional Manager for the Centre Davie Masache said they delayed the maize buying process because they are focusing on quality when buying the commodity.

“Because we are much emphasising on the quality you know this something to be consumed by human beings so we cannot just buy for the sake of just buying,” said Masache.

He was quick to say they are aware of the congestion the process is bringing in hence, they are opening further three markets in Lumbadzi, Nsalu and Nsanama.

“We have had a good response from farmers and traders as central region we have opened four depots here in the central region which are Malangalanga Chilambula, Salima and Chimkhoma in Kasungu and plans are currently underway to open other depots,” said Masache.

ADMARC started buying maize mid-November this year following approved budget of K2 billion by the National Assembly and it is supposed to buy 80,000 metric tons of maize.