The call comes after State President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika last week condemned and called for the authorities to stump out corruption in all Admarc depots.

In a press statement released by CAMA and signed by its executive Director John Kapito on Sunday the body laments the acute shortage of maize in many selling points which has resulted into higher prices of the food commodity on the market therefore contributing to high cost of living among Malawians.

“We are questioning the continued use of Admarc markets, which have proved for years to be ineffective and corrupt in the supply and distribution of maize to the general public,” reads the press statement.

Reports indicate that over 2.8 million Malawians have been badly hit by the hunger due to, among other factors, the floods which resulted in poor harvest.

Government through Admarc bought over 50 million metric tones of Maize from neighbouring Zambia to be sold on a subsidised price of MK110 per Kg.

But there have been reports that vendors are conniving with Admarc officials in maize selling depots to buy the maize and sell it elsewhere on a higher price.

Late last year minister of Agriculture Dr Allan Chiyembekeza said Malawi has enough Maize but the only problem is accessibility.

CAMA has urged government to make sure that all depots have enough maize.

“Government must release enough stocks of maize onto the market with immediate effect; Government must identify other strategic distribution channels other than Admarc for the selling of maize with immediate effect.

Force all private traders hoarding maize to release such maize onto the market within seven days and that the maize must be sold at government recommended prices,” further said CAMA.

It has further called on authorities and politicians to stop politicising the situation at the expense of women and children that are suffering due to the scarcity of the staple grain.

However when asked Admarc general manager Foster Mulumbe still maintains the country’s maize crisis is being created by the negative reporting by the media.

“Malawi has enough maize but the negative publicity is causing panic among Malawians most Malawians to scramble for Maize,” said Mulumbe.