Mutharika said during the launch of the National Security Policy in Lilongwe that maize is a security commodity in Malawi hence the need to safeguard it as its shortage can affect nation’s social security. Farmers in the country protested the maize export ban effected last year to avoid creating a shortage of the staple grain, wondering why government pushes farmers to practise good farming methods yet once surplus food is produced, the government closes borders, restricting them to selling their produce locally.