The harvest of maize in Malawi has declined by a significant 20 per cent, from 3.5 million tonnes in 2016/17 season to 2.8 million tonnes in 2017/18 farming season, according to Joseph Mwanavekha, minister of agriculture in Malawi
As reported by the minister, the drop in maize output is mainly because of the drought situations in some parts of the country and spread of armyworms in other parts.
Mwanamveka also said other crop yields are also expected in different degrees due to drought in some parts and heavy flooding in other areas more especially in the northern.
Maize is one of the most important staple foods in many African countries and people of Malawi largely depend on it.
According to Mwanamveka, some of the other crop yields in the landlocked country in southeastern Africa get affected in different, mainly because of the drought scenarios and excessive flooding, especially in the northern region.
As reported by Nyasa Times, the Malawi government has allocated budget to purchase additional maize to make up for the loss.
Malawi is often hit by food shortages as the country largely depends on rain-fed agriculture. Most of the maize grown in the country are by subsistence farmers.
According to the source, among the crops in Malawi, Maize has been responsible for the inflation in the country, accounting for 58.1 percent of the Consumer Price Index (CPI), said the source.
