The Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation (Admarc) has said it has bought about 20, 320 metric tonnes of maize from farmers valued at K4 billion since it started procuring farm produce this season.

The state-run grain trader has also bought 1,257 metric tonnes of cotton at K473 million and 3,977 metric tonnes soya worth K1.1 billion.

Other crops that Admarc has been procuring include beans, sun flower and sesame.

Currently, a total of 403 markets have been opened across the country with 204 markets in the south, 129 in the central and 70 in the north.

Admarc spokesperson, Agness Chikoko Ndovi, said the process has been impressive.

“Buying more than 20 000 metric tonnes of maize within a month and half, I think that is a good progress. The response from farmers has also been positive,” Ndovi said.

An agricultural expert, Tamani Nkhono Mvula, said the progress registered is positive.

Mvula said since the cooperation started procuring the farm produce earlier while other farmers were yet to harvest, Admarc should consider opening extra depots especially in the central region.

This season, Admarc started buying maize earlier in a bid to protect farmers from exploitation.

Recently, Admarc reiterated its commitment to ensure that smallholder farmers are empowered and offered a stable market for their commodities.

Malawi remains an agro based economy and maize is the staple crop.