Blantyre Restricts Sale of Green Maize to Curb Hunger, Theft
The sentiments follow a Blantyre City Council ban on trading green maize. Some vendors continue to defy the order.
BLANTYRE, Malawi- Agricultural experts in Blantyre have raised concerns that the ongoing sale of unripe, fresh maize could worsen hunger and crop theft in the city, writes Elizabeth Metera.
The sentiments follow a Blantyre City Council ban on trading green maize. Some vendors continue to defy the order.
Agricultural expert Leonard Chimwanza advised maize traders to pursue alternative business ventures during the ban to meet their needs.
He also commended the council's efforts to protect residents' small corn fields from theft.
“There are laws formulated specifically to protect the city occupants who have small pieces of land where they grow crops like maize,” Chimwanza said.
He urged maize vendors to obey the bylaws and enforcement actions taken by the council.
"This will ensure that sanity prevails and maize crops for other city occupants are protected," Chimwanza said.
Deborah Luke, public relations officer for the council, said it is “very sad” that some people are failing to comply with the green maize sale ban.
“As the council we are doing anything possible to ensure that green maize is not being sold in the city,” Luke said.
“The council through our enforcement team, we are always on the ground to make sure that anyone found selling green maize is prosecuted.”
The council enacted the prohibition amid concerns that the premature sale and consumption of maize could exacerbate food shortages.
Officials worry the practice also encourages the theft of maize from farmers' fields before crops reach maturity.