By Mercy Botha

Mzimba, March 27, Mana: M’mbelwa District Council has announced the ban of the sale of green maize in the district effective Monday, March 31st this year. The Council says the ban aims at controlling theft of maize.

According to M’mbelwa District Council’s Public Relations Officer, Joel Phiri, the ban has been issued due to complaints made by the farmers in the district saying that the business of selling fresh, cooked or roasted maize contributes to the increase of theft of maize in the fields.

“We hope the ban of green maize sales will help prevent the theft of maize in the district, which is often stolen when it still green,” said Phiri.

Phiri added that the move also aims at ensuring farmers have enough maize for food as he said some farmers have the tendency to sell all green maize which leaves them vulnerable to hunger.

A farmer based at the Boma, Vinkhumbo Nyirenda has commended the decision made by M’mbelwa District Council as he said it will help mitigate the issues of maize theft in the district.

“I’m happy with the maize ban as it has come at the right time, especially when the maize is in the process of drying and ready for harvest.  With the ban in place, it will give room to us farmers to harvest our maize at the right time, as it will be less vulnerable to theft,” he said.

Phiri says they have empowered community policing members to help in the enforcement of the by law and they have also written Malawi Police Service to be on alert regarding the ban.