By Sheminah Nkhoma

Lilongwe, April 23, Mana: Police in Lumbadzi have warned agricultural produce traders against contravening the minimum farm gate prices for strategic crops for 2023/2024 Agricultural Season.

The call was made on Monday during a monitoring exercise conducted by Lumbadzi Police Station’s community policing branch at Lumbadzi, Mchepa, M’bang’ombe and Chitukula Trading Centres.

 Speaking during the exercise, Inspector Ellen Maseko Kayenda appealed to the traders that they are strictly expected to buy the commodities at no less than the recommended farm gate prices set by the government through the Ministry of Agriculture.

"Failure to adhere to these minimum prices is a criminal offense under the laws of the country and perpetrators will be dealt with accordingly," Kayenda said.

Kanyenda further highlighted that police will continuously monitor and enforce compliance to the set minimum prices in order to ensure that farmers are not exploited by unscrupulous traders.

She however urged the public to make sure that they buy and sell their products at the recommended price by the government.

On April 5 this month, Ministry of Agriculture announced the 2023/2024 recommended farm gate prices for selected crops in the country, such as maize, soya beans, cassava and sunflower, just to mention few.