By Chisomo Kambandanga
Authorities at Nkhata Bay Jetty have withheld about 40 tonnes of maize which a Tanzanian trader, Josophat Chingula imported into Malawi by boat through Lake Malawi.
This follows a recent directive by the Ministry of Agriculture restricting importation of maize grain from Tanzania and Kenya where cases of a devastating disease called Maize Lethal Necrosis (MLN) have been recorded.
Speaking in an interview on Friday, Senior Deputy Director of Agriculture and Research Services in the Northern Region, Harris Maulana said the move gears at protecting the country from MLN which has been registered in the two countries.
\”This consignment came through the jetty by boat from Tanzania and we told them that it cannot be sold as grain because people might be tempted to plant it in the process spreading the disease.
Although we have not done laboratory tests but Tanzania announced that they have the disease in their country and this is a protective measure, “said Maulana.
He said those in custody are advised against moving any maize grain from the jetty warehouse to Blantyre where it was destined or any district because anything can happen during transportation.
“We have however ordered them to mill the maize into flour or grit right here in Nkahata Bay so that it is not used as seed anywhere in Malawi,” he added.
He then advised traders to abide by the Ministry of Agriculture\’s directive for them not to face inconveniences.
Speaking in a seperate interview, Chingula who hails from Mbeya in Tanzania said he was not aware of the ban on the importation of any maize grain from his country.
\”I thought that this ban was only effective on yellow maize grain. But since government has ordered us to mill the maize into flour or grit, we will abide by the order.
We are right now we are in the process of purchasing sacks as packages for the maize flour. However, I must admit I have made losses with this consignment because I am spending a lot,” said Chingula.
He said he is being charged K2400 per tonne each day for storage and he is going to spend a lot more money on milling the grain into flour before transporting it to Blantyre where his customers are.
According to the statement which was released on December 14, 2023 by the Ministry of Agriculture through the Department Agricultural Research Services, MLN which currently has no treatment is transmitted by planting the infected maize grain and it can cause 100 percent yield loss.