Mzimba district commissioner (DC) Emmanuel Bulukutu has announced an immediate ban of green maize sales to curb theft of fresh maize which has become rampant in the district.

He said in an interview on Wednesday that the council received many complaints from farmers over theft of mature maize in their fields.

“We have been overwhelmed with complaints from farmers that some people are harvesting mature maize from their fields. The thieves are removing mature maize cobs. We believe the sale of green and fresh maize is fuelling this malpractice; hence the ban,” said Bulukutu.

Thieves targeting mature maize in Mzimba
District. I Joel Phiri

Mzimba South director of agriculture Owen Kumwenda said the theft involves fields with mature maize.

Farmers in the district have since welcomed the decision to ban the sale of green maize.

Farmers Union of Malawi Mzimba Chapter chairperson

 Dan Kaunda commended M’mbelwa District Council for the bold step to protect farmers’ produce.

“We commend the move because most farmers suffer losses due to theft of green maize from their fields. Already some farmers have complained about their maize fields being targeted,” he said.

Mzimba Police Station spokesperson Maria Banda said the police will support the council in enforcing the directive.

“We will work with the council to ensure that the ban is effectively enforced,” she said.

Traditional leaders have also backed the move with group village head Amon Moyo of Traditional Authority Mzikubola saying they will work with the council to ensure compliance.

“We will work with the council to enforce the ban and raise awareness in our communities,” he said.

A farmer Bosco Banda from Chanthomba said he has already lost part of his crop to theft.

“I have a two-acre farm and I have not yet started harvesting, but I have discovered that some people are stealing it,” he said