Government has increased budget for the purchase of maize this year from 12 billion kwacha to 22 billion kwacha.

National Food Reserves Agency (NFRA) Chief Executive Officer, George Macheka is the one who confirmed the development earlier today in Lilongwe at a media briefing.

“Out of the hiked figure, 10 billion kwacha has already been accredited into their account” said Macheka.

He also said that this year they intend to procure 82 thousand metric tons of maize in the initial phase.

The NFRA CEO said eligible people to sell the commodity to them are those with a minimum of 1 metric ton of maize.