Committee chairperson Wanangwa Kayira has urged the Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation (Admarc) to reopen the Wenya depot, which has been closed for years.

He said local communities are struggling to buy maize, as vendors sell it at higher prices due to lack of accessible government outlets.

Kayira made the call on Wednesday during an orientation of community action group members under the Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace’s Right to Food project.

He said: “Wenya does not have an Admarc depot. We have a building but it is not being utilised.

“Reopening the depot will enable people to buy maize at cheaper prices, access farm inputs locally and enable farmers to sell their produce directly instead of unscrupulous traders.”

Kayira said government established Admarc to serve communities, but its inactivity undermines the purpose.

Community member Temwa Kayira from Kwalimwe Village in Traditional Authority Mwenewenya said they walk 45 kilometres to buy maize from Nthalire or Mahowe depots.

Admarc spokesperson Theresa Chapulapula said the corporation sells maize in selected markets, particularly in areas where prices exceed about K1 300 per kilogramme (kg).

“This is part of Admarc’s mandate to stabilise maize prices. Our officers are continuously monitoring market prices on to ensure that supply is available in areas where prices rise above K1300 per kg,” she said.