Experts defend produce prices (The Nation)

The Nation (Malawi) published an article on the cost of produce in the country.  Experts in the agricultural sector have backed the minimum farm gate prices for produce, including the staple grain maize, saying most farmers benefitted from the Affordable Inputs Programme (AIP); hence incurred fewer production costs. But the experts have called for strict enforcement and adherence to the set prices, noting that in previous seasons, farmers got raw deals as some unscrupulous buyers capitalized on their vulnerability and bought the produce at below the recommended prices. In IFPRI-Malawi’s 2020 paper titled ‘Can a maize price band work in Malawi?’ also said government intervention has failed to lift estimated maize farm gate prices.