Admarc let flour rot while Malawians searched for food

As thousands of Malawian families struggled to afford maize flour during last year’s food crisis, Admarc was allegedly sitting on tonnes of its own Thanzi maize flour that later rotted in storage.

According to a report by The Daily Times, which cites findings of the Parliamentary Committee on Agriculture and Irrigation, poor planning, weak oversight and inadequate storage left contaminated flour worth K29.5 million unfit for human consumption, despite widespread demand for affordable maize products.

The report says Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation (Admarc) Limited launched the Thanzi Maize Flour Pilot Project by toll milling 473.642 metric tonnes of maize at Sungold Food Processors Limited into cream of maize, mgaiwa and maize bran under the Thanzi brand.

The initiative was meant to test consumer acceptance and maintain the corporation’s presence in the maize flour market before installing its own milling plant.

However, inspections by Admarc’s Pest and Quality Team reportedly found that 75.762 metric tonnes had been infested with weevils and larvae, developed lumps and was declared unfit for human consumption, while another 48.812 metric tonnes remained under assessment pending aflatoxin tests.

The parliamentary committee reportedly found that 15,129 kilogrammes of contaminated flour valued at K29.5 million had been confirmed unsafe for consumption.

“All Gramil from Zomba, some 25kg packs from Ngabu, and all 50kg packs from Chilambula were contaminated and declared unfit to eat,” the report states.

According to the committee, the losses were caused by prolonged storage after retail sales were suspended, poor storage facilities, unsuitable transportation that exposed the flour to moisture and contamination, and production volumes that were not matched to actual market demand.

The committee also faulted Admarc’s handling of the project, saying it proceeded without a feasibility study, proper risk management or a dedicated project management team.

It has recommended an investigation into the Executive Management responsible for the project, saying those linked to the K29.5 million loss should be investigated for possible maladministration or negligence.

Quoted by The Daily Times, Centre for Social Accountability and Transparency Executive Director Willy Kambwandira described the findings as “scandalous” and called for an independent investigation, recovery of public funds where negligence is established and prosecution of any criminal wrongdoing.

The revelations add to previous incidents involving post-harvest losses at Admarc. In 2021, about 1,285 metric tonnes of maize reportedly rotted in storage, while in 2024 the corporation disposed of 12,304 metric tonnes of maize after it was declared unfit for human consumption.